“Edith + Eddie” was supposed to be a love story.

The short documentary film about two Alexandria senior citizens in their 90s who fell in love and got married was intended to be a feel-good movie about love in our later years.

Unfortunately, the filmmakers quickly realized that the story was taking a dark turn. The couple was separated by a court order and Edith was forced to live with her daughter in Florida.

On March 26 at the New Life Ministry Center in Hayes, Commonwealth Senior Living at Gloucester House and the Hook Law Center screened the documentary to highlight a subject that many seniors and their families often forget—proper planning as we age.

According to a recent study by Caring.com, nearly 60 percent of American adults don’t have essential planning documents in place that clearly outline their medical and care preferences. This means that the rights and protections of millions of seniors in the United States is in jeopardy.

Emily Martin with ...