Care Years Guidebook and educational package for Seniors in Canada has resources for understanding the province's care-related government programs

Planning involves being ready...it is worth taking a moment to read this Globe and Mail March 2012 article: “Preparing for an unexpected death of a spouse”
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To understand a new tool called an "advance directive” -- a written document that contains an individual’s instructions in respect of the health care treatments that they consent (or refuse) to receive in the future.
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A Care-Years Plan

Interested in an outline or recommendations in order to put a care-years plan in place for yourself and/or a loved one?

Follow each of these steps, don't feel overwhelmed

Do the work one step at a time to achieve success

Watch this video clip of what Patty has to say about her own care-years plan when she was guest speaker at a Nicola Wealth Management Group Client Seminar

STEP ONE--GAINING AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING - EDUCATION IS THE KEY

Goal: To become informed, to gain an understanding of the basics of the care issue in our country and its implications for the future within your family

Become familiar with the issue, overcome any procrastination, remove obstacles

Aim for 'no surprises please'

Learn more... click here

STEP TWO--ORGANIZING DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION

Goal: To have all personal documents in order, to have an organized method for keeping all important family-related documents current

Put all legal, financial and personal documents and contact information in order (with as little frustration as possible)

Become prepared no matter what your age and current health status

Aim for easy access of required information at all times now by you and during care-years by your care-manager and other loved ones

Learn more... click here

STEP THREE--BECOMING INFORMED AS TO OUR GOVERNMENTS' PROGRAMS AND THEIR BENEFITS

Goal: To ensure that you have a basic understanding of the federal government programs and services and equally, if not more important, your provincial government's current care-related services and their senior and care-support systems

Blind faith in our health system is not a wise course of action - we are responsible for our own 'care' and the care of our loved ones

Feelings of entitlement may hinder and harm your planning, set these aside for now

Aim for self reliance as the best security

Learn more... click here

STEP FOUR--GAINING AN AWARENESS OF THE 'REAL COSTS' OF CARE AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THESE CARE NEEDS ARE GOING TO BE PAID FOR WHEN THE TIME COMES

Goals: To ensure you have an understanding of what care services actually cost and that you are aware of what your out-of-pocket monthly care-costs will be when you need care

To be able to list the financial means you have in place for your care-years including the amounts allocated to pay for your future care and for how long

To ensure that you have an understanding of what your out-of-pocket monthly costs may be when your loved ones (parents/spouse/in-laws/siblings) need care and may look to you for assistance

Postponing this question of costs is not an option as 'care is a family affair'

Aim for choices for you and your loved ones when some care services are required, especially when long-term care intensive-type services become necessary

Learn more... click here

STEP FIVE--TALKING WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS

Hushed conversations, unhelpful attitudes and out-dated myths will prove harmful -- since care of a loved one automatically implies family involvement

Goal: To make sure your family knows: your wishes, whom you wish to be your care-manager, how you have planned to pay for your care, where your documents are stored, and to make sure that you know the same for your loved ones

Aim for comfortable, informed conversation, openness and joint agreement

Learn more... click here

STEP SIX--ASKING QUESTIONS--ALWAYS

Goal: To be positive in your learning about this important issue and how it is going to affect you and your family in the future

Aim for comfort around the whole issue

Learn more... click here

Order a copy of my popular Guidebook Let's Talk-The Care-Years