Over 50 people attended a “lunch and learn” on March 16 in Clifford as part of the Seniors’ Centre for Excellence congregate dining program.
Seniors’ centre program coordinator Helen Edwards invited Rev. Jessica Cottrell to say grace. Donna Gingrich prepared the meal with help from volunteers Mary Cain and Hannah Dawson.
Four guest panelists relayed information from their areas of expertise on preparedness for end of life.
Community engagement facilitator Dale Gellatly of Hospice Waterloo promoted “conversations worth having” regarding advanced care planning.
Due to any number of health reasons, there may be a time when someone cannot speak for themselves.
Gellatly said it is important to entrust health care and personal care decisions to someone who will follow your wishes.
Unless someone has been legally appointed, an individual’s closest family member will be appointed.
Gellatly recommends finding a way to discuss wishes with all family members, so everyone knows the answers to the tough decisions like “life-support or let me go.”
Over 14 years of service, Cottrell of Harriston United Church has experienced intimate graveside funerals as well as large gatherings.
She encourages families to keep a list of favourite hymns and scriptures to include in a service of remembrance. A family needs a chance to gather, to reminisce and recall the memories, to pass around those photos and share those life lessons that brought joy and will help bring peace.
“The greatest gift is to let your family gather to grieve,” Cottrell said.
Allan Lee of Hardy-Lee Funeral Home in Harriston suggested planning in advance by talking to dedicated, knowledgeable professionals who can guide an individual through a traditional or modern funeral service.
Start with a planning guide, he suggested. List your particular information and discuss details with family regarding type of service, the people to notify, documents needed to settle the estate, where necessary papers are located and information for a notice in the local papers.
Pre-paying for a funeral is a popular choice that helps the family focus on the service and not the costs. Pre-planning a funeral gives peace of mind, assures final wishes are listed, and the funeral plan is not a hurried end-of-life bedside occasion.
Lawyer Mark TarBush of Listowel finds three documents are invaluable for estate planning – a will, a power of attorney for personal care and a power of attorney for property.
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the power to act on your behalf. It could be regarding finances, property or medical care.
A will provides information about final wishes concerning estate, property, possessions, who will benefit from the settling of the estate and who will carry out wishes. Offer guidelines and write specifics to create a clear picture for family members, Tarbush suggests.
Most importantly, he said, have a specific spot to keep documents and let someone trustworthy know where to look when it’s time.
Edwards expressed appreciation for their presentation, which generated numerous thought-provoking questions.
The next lunch and learn in Clifford will take place on April 20 at Knox United Church. Call 519-638-1000 to register. The noon luncheon costs $12, but the presentation at 12:30pm is free.
