This is a sample. Peggy isn't real — every answer below was written to show you what a finished agreement sounds like.

I SaidYouCould^TM

The Future-Self Agreement

made by Margaret “Peggy” Ellis · age 72

I am writing this while I am clear headed and entirely myself. These are my instructions to the people I trust. If the day comes, they are not overruling me. They are following the plan I wrote. I said they could.

Driving

NOTICE · When would you want someone to speak up about your driving?: After two incidents within 12 months; and if someone I trust feels unsafe riding with me
SUPPORT · What would you accept first, instead of a full stop?: Daylight-only, familiar routes
STEP IN · What is the hard stop, the point where the keys go away?: Two trusted people agree it's time

Memory & Thinking

NOTICE · What would count as more than a normal off day?: Missing appointments repeatedly
TALK · Who should say something to me first, and how?: My eldest child, directly
REASSESS · Once a concern is raised, how often should we look again?: Every 6 months

Home & Housekeeping

NOTICE · What in the house would tell you I need a hand?: Stove or heater left on
SUPPORT · What help would you accept first?: A cleaner every other week
STEP IN · When should someone take over running the home?: When it's declared unsafe by a professional

Money & Financial Decisions

NOTICE · What money signals would worry you?: Missed or duplicated bill payments
SUPPORT · What is the first safeguard you would welcome?: A trusted person gets view-only access
STEP IN · When should someone else take over the finances?: Two trusted people plus my advisor agree

Medication & Medical Care

NOTICE · What medication slip-ups matter to you?: Missing doses more than twice a week
SUPPORT · What support would you accept?: A weekly pill organizer someone fills
STEP IN · When should someone else manage my medications?: When my doctor recommends it

Falls & Mobility

NOTICE · How many falls before we act?: Two falls within 6 months
SUPPORT · What would you try first?: Grab bars, better lighting, no loose rugs
STEP IN · When does the living arrangement need to change?: When I need help getting up daily

Food & Personal Care

NOTICE · What would suggest I need help here?: Unintended weight loss
SUPPORT · How should help arrive?: Grocery delivery set up for me
STEP IN · When should daily care be arranged for me?: When I can't bathe safely alone

Scams & Technology

NOTICE · What would count as a warning sign?: Sending money to someone I've never met
SUPPORT · What protection would you accept?: A rule: no money moves without one phone call to my person
STEP IN · When should someone else control outgoing money?: After a second incident of any size

Relationships & Influence

NOTICE · What changes in my relationships should raise an eyebrow?: Large gifts or loans to someone new
TALK · How should this be raised with me?: Privately, kindly, without an audience
STEP IN · When should my trusted people step in formally?: Any signed document under new influence

Pets

NOTICE · What would show my pet needs more help than I can give?: Missed feedings or vet visits
SUPPORT · What help would keep us together longer?: A dog walker or pet sitter
STEP IN · If I truly cannot care for them, what happens?: A named family member takes them

Social Connection

NOTICE · What would tell you I am withdrawing?: Two weeks without leaving the house
SUPPORT · What should someone do about it?: Show up in person, don't just call

Living Alone

SUPPORT · Which kind of support would you want first?: Stay home with drop-in help
STEP IN · What would make a move necessary rather than optional?: A doctor recommends 24-hour support
REASSESS · How often should this decision be revisited?: Every year

Who Gets to Step In

Trusted person 1: Daniel Ellis · Son · (555) 214-8890
Trusted person 2: Ruth Okafor · Sister · (555) 771-3320
Trusted person 3: Carla Menendez · Neighbor & friend of 30 years · (555) 902-4417
Doctor: Dr. Aisha Rahman · (555) 330-1120
Attorney: Peter Lindqvist · (555) 448-2210
Financial advisor: Hollow Creek Financial · (555) 668-9001
Major decisions: Require two trusted people to agree

What I Never Want

People talking about me as if I'm not in the room
Every mistake treated as proof I'm incompetent
Being moved somewhere without seeing it first
Being kept from my pet
Don't rearrange my kitchen. I know where everything is.

What Makes Me Feel Like Me

People I want around me: Daniel and the grandkids on Sundays, Ruth on the phone every morning, my choir.
Places that matter: The back porch, the community garden plot, the lake house in August.
Routines I'd fight to keep: Coffee before anyone talks to me. Crossword. Walking Biscuit at 7 and at 6.
What makes a day worth living: Something to look forward to, something growing, and someone to argue with.

Margaret Ellis

Signed

March 14, 2026

Date

March 14, 2028

Next review

Check back in every 2 years. The reminder is meant for both of us. Automated delivery is not running yet, so this line is the instruction, not the alarm clock.

I Said You Could™ is an educational planning tool. It is not a medical directive, power of attorney, or substitute for professional medical, legal, or financial advice.