Plan For Your Best Life

I am hoping you are doing well andenjoying the unfolding spring season. Onceagain, I invite you to take a deep breath,pour a cup of coffee or hot tea, and relax.

Delay! I know what you're thinking. Thisreally is NOT at all something you wish tothink about. Medical care choices and end-of-life decisions are charged and daunting,to say the least. However, if we re-framethe conversation, maybe you'll be moreinclined to embrace the preparation

process.

Rather than thinking about various death scenarios, think about the infinite options for LIFE!Planning for LIFE is an infinitely more appealing and productive tactic. How do you intend to LIVEbefore the conclusion of the street? You have to plan nicely to make certain that your wishes becomeyour reality.

Without exception, the greatest challenge was enticing people to attend. Many people just do notneed to "go there." It's projected that only 25-30% of people in the United States have completedadvance directives. There are numerous variables contributing to our reluctance to strategy:deficiency of knowledge, dearth of urgency, anxiety about dying and death, doubt of medicalsystems, cultural incompatibility, mental distress, and family dissension. However, if we neglect toformulate our preferences associated with medical care and end-of-life care, we relinquish controland often unduly weight relatives and buddies. A distressing scenario for all concerned.

Consequently, we should Strategy for LIFE. The very first step in the planning process is to "knowthyself." Take the time . Think about these questions in relationship to advanced age or to ahealthcare catastrophe:

For example:

-- Physically active

-- Mentally astute

-- Capable of communicating

What are your hopes? For example:

-- Remain at home

-- Be surrounded by friends and family

-- Keep a feeling of control

-- Be treated with respect and dignity

-- Experience good-handled symptoms and pain

What are your fears? For example:

-- Loss of control

-- Loss of dignity

-- Reduction of purpose and meaning

-- Monetary ruin

-- Being a burden

The second step in the preparation process is critically important--discussing your Strategy for LIFEwith friends and family. I can not stress this enough! Friends and family need to listen to yourwishes that are LIFE. Having THE dialogue with loved ones affords the chance answer questions tosay your tastes, and discuss issues. Furthermore, your willingness to "go there" may encourageother people to follow in your footsteps. A good thing really! Ask us about a few of the fabulousonline resources to help out with kick starting THE conversation.

Finally, document your Strategy for LIFE. Advance directives contain a variety of legal formsincluding: CPR directive, living will, Medical Durable Power of Attorney, MOST, POLST, 5 Wishes,etc. It's important to determine the lawfully established and required documentation as mandated.Seek legal counsel if needed.

If you are still averse to "go there," let me say one more thing. Advance directives WILL NOT BE allabout YOU! Investing consideration plus the time to make An Idea for LIFE results in one of thegreatest gifts you could offer your relatives and buddies. A well-imagined Strategy for LIFE counseland will direct those that care for you personally at the end of the road --mitigating some of theinevitable uncertainty and angst. For me personally, that's motivation enough to Strategy for LIFE! Ihope you are motivated by it as well.

I look forward to the dialog that is continuing. If you have particular questions or concernsassociated with your caregiving experience, I'd like to hear from you. Until another appointment, Iwish you and yours innumerable blessings.

Senior Home Care