It’s a difficult topic and one that few of us care to think about, never mind discuss, and yet for many of the families we serve, it’s an important and needed conversation. The reality of facing an illness, experiencing an accident, or facing surgery with months of planned rehabilitation, opens our eyes to considering plans for the future – including, plans that don’t include us. In other words, we’re asking today if you have thought about, and planned for, the future of your care, your estate and even your final wishes? If you haven’t, perhaps the start of this new year is the perfect time to think about planning for the future.
Faced with a life-altering diagnosis, accident or injury is a difficult time for families and often happens quickly and is certainly unplanned for. That often means you are making decisions under duress, which is never an ideal situation. We know it’s hard but wouldn’t it be better – for both you and your loved ones – to have some tough conversations ahead of time so that everyone involved in your care understands your wishes? Here are just a few of the things you and/or your family should consider when planning for the future:
Do you have a Will in place?
This document is a legal affirmation of your final wishes in terms of your estate and is important whether you have investments, equity and savings or none at all. Even those of us without significant property or savings to pass along need to state clearly and unequivocally how they would like whatever assets and treasured mementos to be distributed and more importantly, how we would like to be treated in our final days and hours and after we are gone.
Have you put a Power of Attorney in place?
As part of the will process, you should take the time to designate a power of attorney who can make legal, financial and health decisions in your place should you find yourself incapacitated and unable to do so – whether that’s a temporary result of an accident, or a permanent state due to chronic illness or diseases like dementia. You’ll want to give careful consideration to who this person is and have a thoughtful conversation about what end of life care you would – or would not – like to receive. Often this person is a spouse or your child and emotions weigh heavily during a crisis. If you’ve had a conversation up front about what your future wishes are, it enables family members to act on your behalf with confidence, knowing they are honouring your exact instructions.
Are your finances in order?
A POA is also important in terms of managing finances during a crisis or afterwards. The paperwork involved when dealing with financial institutions and government offices can be overwhelming and already having a POA in place helps smooth the process.
Make a list and then update it regularly.
It’s important that your family members know where to access important documents, the names and contact information of your legal advisors, financial institutions you deal with and even your family doctor and/or other caregivers so that they can help you in the event of an emergency or know whom to reach out to in the event of your loss. Bereavement leaves everyone involved feeling vulnerable and lost. Help mitigate those feelings by ensuring quick, simple access to important and needed information.
Final wishes.
Many of us don’t want to even contemplate a world where we are not a part of it. Perhaps it’s as a result of superstition – if we talk about “it” perhaps it will come true or simply because we genuinely have fear or actually don’t care, “once I’m gone, I’m gone.” Unfortunately, our attitude toward death and dying doesn’t make it any easier for the family we leave behind. Use this opportunity to share with your loved ones exactly how you’d like to be celebrated. Think of this as your last party if you will. Do you like tradition or have you always been a trendsetter? Do you wish to be cremated or not? Are their faith traditions you would like to have included or is that the very last thing you would want to be a part of your “party?” Let family know before these important decisions have to be made quickly and during a time of grief after your gone.
Milestone Health provides services for families who may be facing tough decisions about theirs or a loved ones future. Often, we are entering your homes during a time of crisis, a crisis that arose as a result of a stroke or debilitating injury, a motor vehicle accident, the diagnosis of a life ending illness or simply as a result of old age and needing a little bit of extra support in your day to day routines. Whatever the situation, while we are happy to be of service to our clients and their families, we see first hand how loved ones have to cope during a crisis. Consider the advice we’ve included today if you haven’t already done so and have a conversation with those around you about planning for the future – even one that may no longer include you.
We’re Milestone Health and we offer a variety of care solutions for you or your loved ones, with safety, dignity and respect – all in the comfort of your own home, wherever home is!”