**GroovyTakeOn podcast is part of #HiMomProject. Helping Older Adults to get ready-stay safe-online and offline.**
Not many people want to talk about death, it’s not easy and it might be overwhelming. It’s not easy but we should talk about it and make proper arrangements if we want everything to
As always, Renee and I (Klaudia), we tried to make the conversation as light as possible or rather as less depressing as possible. You decide if we succeeded.
This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and many other podcast platforms.
Before You Die Checklist:
START with…
- keep it simple and clear – it’s scary to even think about dying, that’s why keeping it simple might help you to plan better.
- talk to someone – talk to your family and friends, ask for a bit of advice, do your own research.
- start early and take your time – don’t rush yourself, take your time making important decisions.
- take care of people – family secrets, damaged relationships. How about to give it another chance and rebuild what you can?
- take care of things – donate what you want, get rid of that what you (nor anyone else) don’t want/need, ask your family and friends what they want (do they have space for those things, etc.?). You don’t have to give away everything right away. Plan it, it’s your life.
- start easy – take care of everything that is simple and quick. Everything that will not drain you emotionally.
PLANNING…
Planning usually helps to have better control over your life.
- finances – you don’t want your family to start a conflict what goes to whom, that’s why figuring that out earlier might help a lot.
- get your finance in check – get a will, trust fund, etc. Contact verified consultant to get your documents in order
- tell your relatives – inform your family members who are going to get and what (no surprises, everyone knows)
- take care of your: house, cars, jewelry, bank accounts, direct deposits, bills, investments, contracts, phones, HOA (homeowner association), memberships, subscriptions, etc. Make a list, so others will know what’s what
- funeral arrangements – check what funeral option you want, get pictures and videos ready, and select a funeral home you want
- have a trusted person – who is going to help you and who is going to make sure everything is going according to your plan/directions
- where do you want to spend the rest of your life – plan where you are going to live and if you can afford it
- at your home – who is going to be a caregiver in case you need one. Can you afford it? Is your home ready?
- assisted living facility/nursing home – which one? how are you going to pay for it?
- hospice/in-home hospice – it’s a difficult decision, but you need to be ready
- your digital estate (everything online + social media)
- list of social media platforms/applications you are on + passwords
- email addresses (with passwords)
- online access to your bank accounts (with passwords)
- your computer/tablet/smartphone (with login and passwords)
- online access to your investments (with login and passwords)
Prepare two separates sets of documents: “In Case of Emergency” folder and “After I Die” folder.
“In Case of Emergency” Folder:
- your doctor’s name, address, phone number
- list of medications
- signed DNR form (“Do Not Resuscitate”) if you have
- copy of your insurance cards (primary and supplement), both sides
- list of contacts – in case you want selected people to be contacted
- additional information
“After I Die” Folder:
- advance directive
- copy of your will or living trust
- copy of birth, marriage, divorce certificates
- social security number
- copies of health insurance
- copy of driver’s license
- funeral instructions
- letters to your family members and friends
- list of contacts with information who is in charge of what – it will help to know what to do next (who is taking care of the house, pets, etc.)
RESOURCES:
- “A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death” (by BJ Miller, Shoshana Berger; Amazon.com)
- “When You Need to Make a When I Die File – Before It’s too Late” (by Time.com)
- “One Day, You’re Going to Die. Here’s How to Prepare for It” (by Lifehacker.com)
- “Estate Planning: 11 things to Do Before You Die” (by Legalzoom.com)
- “Prepare for a Good End of Life” (TedTalk by Judy MacDonald)
- useful worksheets (by GoodEndOfLife.com)
