End of life planning is often overlooked, we focus on our day to day without looking too far in advance. It can be very uncomfortable to think about the unavoidable. However, creating an end of life plan is the ultimate act of care, clarify and wishes. End of life plan goes beyond ensuring that your wishes are known, but that your values are respected and you have made your loved ones jobs easier.
While most people think of end of life plan as a thing to do when you are on your death bed or battling a serious illness, it is actually for anyone who wants to protect their dignity, reduce stress for loved ones and maintain control over your choices. Life is often unpredictable and having a plan in place can provide a peace of mind now and in the future.
An end of life plan is not just for older adults or those facing serious illness. End of life planning is for anyone who wants to protect their dignity, maintain control over their choices, and reduce stress for family members. Life is unpredictable, and having a plan in place provides peace of mind—both now and in the future.
What Is End of Life Planning?
End of life planning is the process of organizing your legal, financial, medical and legacy planning. It is essentially your final affairs plan. An effective end of life plan outlines who can make decisions on your behalf, how you want your last days to be handled, and includes your legacy plan.
End of life planning typically includes legacy planning, advance care planning, a will and other legal documentation, financial planning and any medical decisions. It can include other documents and wishes that are personalized to your wishes.
How to Do End of Life Planning?
There are often many ways to start thinking and executing your end of life plan. One of the easiest ways is to download the end of life planning app, EXIT. The app helps you with end of life planning checklist, legacy videos, storing of legal and financial documents and more. Regardless if you are using an end of life plan app or doing it by hand here are a few steps to get you started:
- Start with a reflection, what matters to you, what are your wishes for your loved ones, who should be the executor, what medical decisions would you make, what does a great end of life look like, and what does your legacy look like.
- Medical: document your healthcare wishes, create an advance directive or living will, include guidance for situations where you may not be able to communicate. It may include assistant living preferences, life sustaining treatment, as well as pain management. It should also include what medication you are currently taking, if you have any allergies and any medical history that would be necessary for doctors to know.
- Decision Makers: Who do you want to be the executor of your will, your digital vault, you may choose different people for different roles to not only ease the burden but also for your own comfort. After all you may wish that your sister applies your make-up while your husband takes care of your finances.
- Legal Consideration: Create and assign a power of attorney, create a will, review beneficiaries of your insurance, organize your legal documents.
- Financial Planning: plan financial and practical details such as bank accounts, insurance policies and important contacts.
- Legacy planning: record a legacy video, record your recipes, document family traditions and histories, pass along photos, memories, stories and other important information.
- Digital Asset Management: digital vault is where your online presense is stored. Who can access it, what should be shared, archived or deleted. Who will manage it for you.
- Other considerations: preferences for burial, cremation or memorial services, who the pets will go to and their care instructions, and other personal considerations which are important for you.
Document storage or digital vault can be done with EXIT app, or alternatively you can identify a service that will allow you to store your documents at a safe place. Just make sure it is accessible, secure and can be accessed by the right people.
How to check that your end of life plan is well prepared?
A simple way is to ensure that your healthcare wishes are planned and will be respected both legally and emotionally, your plan includes a way to reduce financial stress on the loved ones (including potentially pre-planning your funeral services), and your legacy is well preserved. Ensure that there are no confusions or disputes and it includes everything that you are wishing for. Remember end of life planning is not so much about focusing on death but rather planning for life afterwards, with peace, dignity and memory.
Final affairs is just one step of your end of life planning, which is an ongoing process. It should be revisited on yearly basis and based on any life events such as divorce, changes in health, weddings and new births. Keeping it ensure that you reflect on your wishes and make changes as you see fit.
Final Thoughts on End of Life Planning
End of life planning is one of the most thoughtful decisions you can make. A clear, well-documented end of life plan provides guidance, reduces stress, and offers reassurance to everyone involved. It allows you to maintain control, protect your dignity, and support the people you care about most. This is why EXIT an app that helps you create your end of life plan was created. By taking the time to plan ahead, it not only makes something that is difficult into a beautiful act of care, compassion and love.
