End-of-Life Planning Benefits Everyone
Outlining Your Final Wishes Helps Both You and Your Loved Ones Most people avoid talking about death and dying and don’t want to think about a time when they’ll be gone. But being clear about your final wishes and making plans for what happens after you pass away can give you and your loved ones great peace of mind. A good time to think about, write down and share what you would like to have happen upon your death is when you are crafting your advance directives. Talking with friends and family members about your final wishes will give you and those who care about you confidence that when you die, your wishes will be carried out. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you start thinking about your end-of-life planning: Healthcare at the End of Your Life • If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness, what kind of medical care do you want? Do you want hospice or palliative care providers? If so, what are your goals for such care? • Is there a particular family member or friend you would like involved with your care at the end of your life? • If you are able to choose where you will pass away, do you want to die at home or in a healthcare facility? Are there certain people you would like to visit you before you die? Who would you like to be present with you when you pass away?
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Personal Business • Even if you have a will outlining who will inherit your possessions, are there certain items such as photographs, family mementos and other keepsakes that you want particular people to have? • If you have pets, who do you want to take care of them after you die? • How do you want your email, social media and other digital accounts handled after you die? Who do you want to take care of these matters? • Are there certain memories, stories and photos from your life and of your family history that you want to make a written, audio or video record of to preserve prior to your death? Philanthropy and Financial Donations • In addition to your family, is there a particular charity that you desire to donate to? Have you contacted a legal or financial advisor to inquire about the best method of planning for your donation? Does your family know of your desired donation? Are you aware of the tax regulations which will be applied to your donation? In addition to listing it in your will, there are many different ways to prepare a philanthropic donation. For example, taking out a life insurance policy with the charity as the beneficiary, setting up a private foundation or beginning to give annually right now might be effective ways for you to plan for your donation. Aging Resources 2021–2022
