5. Planning for Life and Preparing for End of Life
Topic 6 of 6
One step at a time…
Talking about substitute decision making, Wills and Advance Care Directives, elder abuse and scams can be tough conversations – but they are invaluable.
Here are some suggestions for future steps and resources.
Select the headings to find out more
Once your elders agree that protecting their assets is a good idea, get an idea of where they stand financially, all entitlements and assets. This will help with the Enduring Power of Attorney and the Will.
Talk about finances with your elder.
- Is the bank treating them fairly?
- Discuss the perils of plastic money. For example, what is the difference between a debit card and a credit card, or what are PayWave and direct debits?
- Understanding the family home – when is it counted as an asset.
- Check funeral plans and other insurance policies for possible dishonest contracts.
- The Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) provides decision making covering finances and assets.
- The Enduring Guardianship (EG) covers decisions about lifestyle and medical.
- If possible encourage your elder to do a Will with a solicitor (not your solicitor). Although some people choose to do their Will using a Will Kit, this could have implications in the future if not done correctly.
- For help with making a Will, go to the resources list in the menu.
Palliative Care can help with the ACD and it has the remarkable job of increasing your elder’s quality of life if they ever need to call on the Palliative Care Team. There are people who can support elders and carers with ACD’s such as Death Doulas – go to Resources to have a look at the Doula Factsheet.
If you find yourself trying to talk your elders into doing some planning, take the opportunity to go through this yourself. It might help if they perceive there is a stigma or feel that this is ageist.
For planning and palliative care guidance contact the National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582 or select this link Palliative Care Tasmania for advice, workshops, resources, links – absolutely everything.
Elder abuse
As mentioned, approximately 15% of our elders are abused. Call it out if you see it, keep your eyes open and remember it’s all of our business.
Scams
Scams – the insidious and cowardly crime – affect us all but can have multiplier effects on our elders leading to increased isolation, anxiety and depression.
Get the contacts your elder needs ‘just in case’. Remind them – and yourself – that it is criminals that should be ashamed – and depressed and socially isolated. Not the victim.
Wrap up
We have come to the end of ‘Planning (Life and death).’
Select ‘Play’ to view Jean’s final message.
And if you have tried all of these tips in this module and you still haven’t made headway, there are people who can help you both, including GPs, geriatricians, and social workers. Or you could try my book, We Need to Talk About Mom and Dad. An excellent conversation starter, if I do say so.
And don’t forget to make these arrangements for yourself. If you have your legal documents in place, it will help you to explain the process to your elder.
Having these documents in place protects your loved one. They are essential in a crisis or a gradual unraveling. They are the difference between control and certainty and chaos and conflict.
Remember, the documents can be reviewed and changed whenever they wish. Just take it one step at a time and call Carer Gateway if you get stuck on reaching for that goal. Good luck.
Module 5
Resources
MODULE 5
