2Sisters Speak: Surviving the Sandwich Generation- Episode 18

Starting the Talk About Getting Older?

Planning documents are for everyone and this is a good place to start the conversation. We should all have these few critical documents in place in the event something happens and we can’t make decisions for ourselves.

Critical documents include:

• Health Care Proxy
• Power of attorney
• Living Will

Regardless of age, unfortunate circumstances can happen to anyone and being prepared only serves to lessen the impact should those planning tools be needed. Here are some additional resources to help you through these conversations:

• Honoring Choices (Massachusetts)
• Five Wishes
• What If Workbook
• Physicians’ Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
• National Association of Elder Law Attorneys

Suggestions for communicating for a positive outcome:

• It is not about age. All adults should have a designated emergency plan. Use an example of someone who had an unexpected event that can demonstrate why this planning is important. Although not specifically mentioned in this episode, the Terri Schiavo Case is a commonly good example. Read the Terri Schiavo case.
• Have the conversation in a comfortable place and have carbs, they help.

Reinforce that this is a back-up plan ONLY in the event it is needed (even if you are hoping it will not be the back-up plan).