In an interesting study published by The American Journal of Public Health, researchers discovered that life expectancy has increased for older men. The number of years spent active and free of disability has also increased for men. However, life expectancy for women has not increased as much as it has for men, and neither have the number of years women spend active and free of disability. Consequently, although women still outlive men, older women no longer have more active years than men do. Women are also more likely to experience disability when they grow older.
Although modern medicine has added years to our lives, the disabling conditions and diseases of aging still threaten our quality of life as we grow older. Unforeseen medical conditions may impair our independence or decision-making ability. It is more important than ever for women to be prepared with a well-crafted estate plan that addresses the possibility of mental or physical disability.
Contact your estate planning attorney to ensure that your estate plan protects you if you ever become disabled or incapacitated.