Family Emergency Handbook

When Cindy Arledge's ex-husband had a stroke, it was the worst day of her daughters' lives. In the midst of their already busy schedules, her two adult daughters suddenly became informal (unpaid) caregivers for their dad. Without warning or preparation, they found themselves making life and death decisions for him.

Over the following months, they managed their father's company, paid his bills, communicated with his customers, advisors, insurance company and a host of medical professionals while he regained his strength. In addition to juggling time between caregiving duties and their own family needs, Cindy's daughters were responsible for their dad's herd of cattle in a neighboring state.

The uncomfortable truth is that it's only a matter of time before a crisis interrupts your life. Whether it is you, or someone close to you, life can change in a heartbeat.

Literally. In one breath you can be fine, in the next breath not.

While it is impossible to remove all the stress that comes with an emergency, it is possible to eliminate PREVENTABLE STRESS. This is stress that can be prevented through preparation. It's hard to think straight when you are feeling panicked. When you feel prepared, that panicky feeling goes away.

Use this practical handbook as a guide to reduce stress and empower your family to remain clear, calm and confident to face life's unexpected events. Join the growing number of families who are taking their planning efforts to the next level by completing these three steps:

- Organize important documents and save your loved one's hours of wasted time.

- Communicate advanced decisions to prevent family confusion and disputes.

- Host a meeting to co-create a plan and empower your family to act on your behalf.

Give yourself and your family the gift of confidence and peace of mind that only comes from being prepared.