Personal health is often unpredictable, and treating disease or injury can be very expensive. Limitations in the resources typically available make it very important to plan and arrange for those times when health needs arise.

• To delay or prevent ill health, people should keep themselves in the best physical condition possible by living the Word of Wisdom, eating the right amounts of nutritious foods, exercising regularly, obtaining sufficient sleep and rest, and doing all they can to prevent disease or injury.

• Potential parents need to prepare for the possibility of becoming responsible for the health and nurture of a helpless newborn. This is best accomplished by a husband and wife who are devoted to each other and to their family.
  • Potential parents should maintain optimal health from before conception and seek prenatal care when pregnancy occurs to provide the best opportunity for a healthy infant.
  • They should put away resources to pay for the expenses associated with birth and care.
  • They should make arrangements for protection and clean housing for their baby.

• When temporary illness or injury do strike, as they certainly will, have a plan in place that answers these questions:
  • Who will take care of the sick person?
  • What will be done to take care of the essential responsibilities of the sick person?
  • How will necessary medical care and treatment be paid for?

• It is wise to also prepare both emotionally and physically to cope with the possibility of having to support a family member who is incapacitated for a prolonged period by injury, disease, or advanced age. Everyone should recognize that most people will eventually experience diminished capacity, whether near the end of life or during some interim illness or injury.
  • These periods of incapacity almost always require resources beyond those needed for normal living such as special savings or disability insurance.
  • It would be very helpful to learn the art of being a caregiver with skills to manage feeding, personal hygiene, and nursing care for the infirm when such a period of diminished capacity occurs. Applying these skills in behalf of a family member will not only save valuable and often scarce resources but also communicate immeasurable love and emotional support.
  • The physical and emotional strain of providing prolonged care can be excessive and disrupt the well-being of both the individual and the immediate family. Assistance from family members, friends, Church groups, and community resources may be essential to maintaining the health of well-meaning caregivers.

• Paying for health care differs greatly among nations. Some countries provide all health care from tax revenues, other countries provide limited basic health services, and still others provide none. Whatever services your country provides, you can use the following principles as a guide to paying for health care.
  1. Use prepaid personal resources including:
     • Insurance paid for by yourself or your employer.
     • Government services (such as Medicare, National Health Service, or veteran’s benefits) paid for by your taxes and your personal service.
  2. Use personal savings and other resources, such as selling extra vehicles, extra property, and luxury items while maintaining modest shelter, transportation, and livelihood (if possible) for yourself and your family.
  3. Explore the potential for assistance from immediate and extended family members.
  4. Seek volunteer assistance from qualified individuals within local Church units who can provide — or help obtain — needed resources within the community.
  5. Consult with local Church leaders about obtaining Church assistance before circumstances dictate taking extreme measures.

  Note: Before considering the extension or acquisition of debt for health-related expenses, consult with trusted counselors and Church leaders to help you make the best possible decision regarding the value of doing so.