Dear Friends,
Some weeks ago, Laurie Adamshick presented to the Honolulu chapter of the
Amazing Care network about estate planning, a topic most of us would rather ignore. She gave a compelling presentation about the importance of planning ahead, and most of all, being in control of those things that matter most to us.
Here are the key things I took away from her talk. Planning matters because it:
Ensures Your Wishes Are Honored: We baby boomers are particularly invested in being in control of our lives, so this kind of planning ensures our preferences and values are respected. We need to be clear about our desires regarding medical treatments, living arrangements and end of life care. This could include advance directives, a living will, family trusts, and power of attorney.
Reduces Stress for Loved Ones: Planning ahead can alleviate the emotional and logistical burden on our families and loved ones. Having clear directions on our wishes can prevent confusion and disagreements during some tough times. Laurie described situations involving sibling conflicts because the parent’s wishes were ambiguous.
Ensures your financial plans are in order: Planning involves assessing and preparing for how to pay for health care, long-term care and other related costs. You may need to chat with a financial advisor. The key goal here is to protect our assets and ensure we receive the care needed. Most of us want to live independently and not be a burden on our families.
Provides access to resources and services: I particularly liked this section of Laurie’s talk as she emphasized the need to identify key resources to support our aging journey. This includes home care services, housing options including assisting living facilities and community programs. And of course, the Amazing Care Network is one such resource.
I’ve attached the power point deck that Laurie presented for interest.
Best,
Cora
