End of Life Wishes: How to Prepare for the Conversation

The conversation about end of life wishes is one that can be difficult for all individuals
involved. However, it is also an important conversation to be had because it outlines what the
individual does and does not want in terms of care and treatment before and after death. The
decisions made in this conversation can help put family members and friends at ease after the
passing of their loved one, as it prevents them from having to guess what the person would have
wanted at their funeral or for their estate. In order to prepare for a conversation with a loved one,
it is important to realize that you and your family member or friend may disagree on some
decisions regarding end of life. The conversation may be started after a serious health condition is
diagnosed, or the individual may simply ask for help in planning for the future.
Considerations once the conversation is started:
Be patient: even after the conversation is started, there may still be issues that havent been
thought about or are still undecided.
Put all judgment aside.
Nothing is set in stone, as the person discussing their wishes can always change their mind
later.
Every attempt at a conversation should be taken seriously.
There will likely be many conversations.
Issues That May be Discussed:
Health: living will, Power of Attorney, and medical care preferences
Legal: creating a Will, Power of Attorney for property, and the Succession Act of 1965
Financial: bank accounts, life assurance, credit cards, pensions
End of life issues like type of care provided, health concerns, acceptable/unacceptable
medical treatment, any religious or other traditional preferences for end of life care
Preferences for after death, including organ and body donation, hospital post-mortem, and
funeral ceremonies and burial arrangements
Does the individual plan on setting money aside to help fund their specific wishes? If so,
what is their plan for this (trust fund, separate bank account, etc.)?
The completion of an In Case of Emergency form that will list emergency contacts, medical
history and information, and what medical officials should do in the event of an emergency
The conversation should be revisited and continued after any new diagnoses, decline in the ability
to perform activities of daily living, or death of a loved one.