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Conversations You Should Be Having

Eliza Feller • Feb 07, 2022

Planning ahead and having important conversations is absolutely necessary at any age, for a variety of topics.


  • Have you begun to think about your wishes for medical care in an emergency or as you age?
  • Have you spoken with your doctor to understand the nuances of different types of emergency care under different circumstances?
  • If you're younger, what plans do you need to make now to ensure you have enough long-term care funds available?
  • What are your wishes for where and how you live as you age, with consideration given to how that decision will impact and possibly burden family caring for you? And what can you realistically afford?
  • Do you have clearly delineated checkpoints for reassessing your living situation, health care decisions, or other important parts of your life should specific events occur (should walking difficulties, self care issues, memory issues, etc. arise)?
  • Have you given someone the authority to handle your healthcare and/or financial decisions should something happen to you?
  • Do you have a will or is a judge going to determine how your assets should be split among survivors?
  • If you have a will, is it somewhere your family can find it?
  • Have you met with a professional to best determine how your assets are handled as your end of life housing and medical needs change?
  • Have you sat down with a funeral director to talk through all the options and make decisions?


This a brief overview. Unfortunately, we've seen a lot of people put these decisions off until it is too late. It's important to keep in mind that you can make changes to these decisions. What you decide now about healthcare or living situations can be reevaluated along the way. The good news is there are professionals, resources, and organizations available to help.


Check out these articles as a starting point:


AARP also has many articles and online resources for end-of-life planning (FYI, you do not need to be 50 or older to join AARP and use their member benefits)


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