When was the last time you hit pause and took a bit of time to look around you? Time goes by so fast and we don’t often have the occasion to enjoy what is happening right in front of us. If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that life as we know it can change in a heartbeat. With that in mind, let’s seize the day and gain a bit more time in our lives by staying one step ahead.
This April, we’re spreading awareness on Advance Care Planning. If you have cared for someone at the end of life, you may have felt a mirror effect that caused you to reflect on your own end of life. Moreover, chances are that you have already witnessed a legally complex situation after someone’s passing. Through these experiences, we often feel the need to prepare for when the time comes, but how can we help our family and friends to navigate this painful stage down the road?
Beat the clock, plan ahead!
Since you are the expert on your assets, your money and property, estate planning is certainly a good place to start. Check out Éducaloi’s Inventory Template and 10 steps to estate planning. Of course, your personal wishes about the care you receive are something you also want to communicate while you can. Advance medical directives are one way of expressing certain wishes in the event you cannot consent anymore. They only apply, however, to five specific types of care. For any other wishes regarding care, you can create a living will.
Needless to say, this is both a sensitive and complex subject. If exploring advance care planning raises questions or is stressful for you, please feel free to attend the online Tools for Planning Ahead workshop happening this month with lawyer Richard Goldman from Éducaloi. Be sure to join us on April 12 at 1:30 p.m. and contact me if you need help navigating Zoom.
Lastly, if you are an English-speaking caregiver, you are cordially invited to our in-person Caregivers’ Circle at the Wellness Centre at 2:00 p.m. on April 19. You are free to join, bring your own crafts, and enjoy some pastries while chatting with other caregivers. Please contact me to register: afortinmaltais@jhpartners.net, 581-446-7476
Take good care of yourselves,
Anaïs
