Planning + End of Life
It’s easy to focus on the present, especially if caregiving feels overwhelming. Yet, planning is essential. Carefully considering the future and making adjustments helps you to avoid serious pitfalls.
Planning for the worst won’t make the worst happen. It simply means that you’re prepared no matter what. This is crucial, as you don’t want to be making life-changing decisions in the heat of the moment.
Advance Directives
Advance care directives allow seniors to decide who makes decisions when they can’t, what life saving measures they want, and even what happens after their death. It’s a critical approach, as the senior may lose the ability to decide for themselves.
Estate and Inheritance Planning
What happens to the senior’s property after they die? To any other assets? What about if they need assisted living or other expensive types of support? How will these be funded?
Such conversations take time and concentration, so they’re best held when the senior is still healthy, ideally with the support of an estate planning professional.
Hospice Care
Hospice provides end-of-life support, switching the focus from treating diseases to providing comfort. While the idea may feel like you’re giving up, it’s actually an important chance to focus on relationships and connection in the final months of life.
Living Environment
Most seniors want to age at home in a safe and familiar environment. This is an area that needs talking about and considering, especially as the senior’s health changes. Sometimes the home isn’t the safest or wisest environment.