The holiday season is traditionally a time when loved ones gather to celebrate, share meals and reflect on what matters most. It is a time for connection, storytelling and deepening relationships.

That also makes this season a perfect time to sit down together to discuss your values, priorities and beliefs about your end-of-life wishes. This important conversation can be a wonderful gift to those around you and may even bring you closer together. Here are some steps you can take: 

• Our End-of-Life Decisions Planning Guide and Toolkit is available to help you begin planning and discussing your end-of-life healthcare wishes. This resource is full of information to help you make a plan to get exactly the treatment you want and eliminate any guesswork for your loved ones and medical team.
• Take a look at our  Dementia Values and Priorities Tool, which will help you document your wishes regarding the care you want and create an addendum that can be added to your existing advance directive. It’s never too soon to initiate the conversation with your primary care physician or provider. 
• Explore the rest of our resources for end-of-life planning. The above are just a sample of the tools and resources to help you and your loved ones finish strong by planning for an end-of-life experience that matches the life you’ve enjoyed – defined by love, purpose and agency.
• Watch our “Encouraging Lively Conversations About Death” webinar. Talking about the end of life can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! Compassion & Choices discusses interesting and compassionate ways to discuss death with guests Lori LoCicero and Lisa Pahl, LCSW, co-creators of the Death Deck, along with Stefanie Elkins, eldercare specialist/end-of-life doula with Be Present Care and founder of Death Over Drafts.

Let’s talk turkey over turkey this season. The focus on spending quality time with loved ones, makes the holiday a perfect time to approach this vital discussion with love, clarity and thoughtfulness. 

By talking about your end-of-life wishes, you not only ensure that your family understands your preferences, but you also provide them with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will make decisions that align with your values when the time comes. While it’s important to fill out this paperwork, it’s essential to get the conversation going. 

We are also proud to share our key resources in Spanish!

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