Sally Balch Hurme: Getting Your Affairs in Order as You Get Older - The Long View Recap

Podcast: The Long View

Published: 2026-02-03

Duration: 51 min

Summary

Sally Balch Hurme discusses the importance of planning ahead as we age, emphasizing that organizing one's affairs is not just about the end of life, but about simplifying life today. Her checklists serve as practical tools for families to navigate difficult decisions and ensure wishes are honored.

What Happened

In this episode of The Long View, hosts Amy Arnott and Ben Johnson welcome Sally Balch Hurme, a seasoned elder law attorney and author of 'Checklists My Family, A Guide to My History, Financial Plans, and Final Wishes.' Sally shares her extensive background in elder law, noting her nearly 50 years of experience in a field that she helped pioneer, especially as a woman attorney during its early days. Her journey includes significant roles at AARP and contributions to guardianship policy, which have greatly informed her writing and advocacy work in elder issues.

Sally reflects on her personal experience as a caregiver for her husband, who has been diagnosed with dementia for over a decade. This lived experience has profoundly shaped her perspective, reinforcing the necessity of planning for the future, even when the specific path is uncertain. She explains how simplifying their finances, updating legal documents, and coordinating medical care not only helped her manage caregiving responsibilities but also provided peace of mind during challenging times. Sally emphasizes that the process of getting organized can be empowering and that it’s about making life simpler today, rather than achieving a 'perfect' state of organization.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

What inspired Sally Balch Hurme to write her checklist series?

Sally shares that her advocacy evolved over time, beginning as a legal services attorney and later working with the American Bar Association on guardianship policy issues. Her extensive experience at AARP allowed her to deepen her understanding of the legal concerns facing older individuals, leading to her decision to write checklists that break down these complexities into manageable parts.

How has Sally's personal experience influenced her professional work?

Sally's role as a caregiver for her husband, who has dementia, has significantly shaped her approach to elder law. She emphasizes that planning for the future became essential upon receiving the diagnosis, and her personal experiences have informed the advice she offers in her checklists, making them practical and relatable.

Why do people often struggle to get organized as they age?

Sally notes that many people feel overwhelmed by the prospect of organizing their affairs, often because they don't want to confront the reality of aging and mortality. However, she encourages individuals to view organization as a way to simplify their lives and make day-to-day living easier, rather than just a chore related to end-of-life planning.

What are some practical steps individuals can take to start organizing their affairs?

Sally suggests that getting started with organization can be as simple as tracking important dates, like passport expiration, or creating lists of essential accounts. She emphasizes that organizing is an ongoing process and encourages individuals to take small, manageable steps that can lead to greater fulfillment and motivation to tackle more significant tasks.

How can families benefit from the checklists Sally provides?

Families benefit from checklists because they provide clarity on the wishes of their loved ones, helping them make informed decisions during difficult times. Sally explains that many families express gratitude for knowing specific preferences regarding medical treatments or funeral arrangements, which ultimately allows them to focus on meaningful moments rather than administrative tasks.