“It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, that we begin to live each day to its fullest as if it was the only one we had. “
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
We all know we will die, we just don’t know when or how, or whether it will be sudden or a long process. If however, we take time to think about it, we can put plans in place now and make our wishes known before our death so as to mitigate any stress or confusion for ourselves, family and friends.
If you end up with a chronic terminal illness, having a plan in place allows you to control your destiny and increase the quality of life as the end draws near. It is essential for a self-empowered, easeful passing.
If you die suddenly you will save others a lot of agony (on top of losing you) by providing your next of kin with legal paperwork, funeral options and any final wishes you may have.
The Dying Your Way website and DYW Portal Program is designed to:
I laugh at myself because like you I plan for every emergency. I always get an aisle seat on the plane, search the nearest exit and am prepared for the flight attendant’s direction to bail on cue. I have my emergency backpack ready to throw in the car in case of a wildfire. I have duct tape and plastic sheeting to shelter in place in the event of nuclear disaster. And when I lived in California, I knew every gas shut-off valve in my neighbourhood, with a wrench at the ready, in case of an earthquake.
Needless to say, I have had an Advanced Directive, Medical Power of Attorney, Power of Attorney, and Will in place since 2005!
Pro-active planners are a rare breed and I’m sure we do it for different reasons. I obviously have a strong need for safety and security. Preparing and planning mitigate my fear, give me a sense of control, as well as some peace of mind during any possible emergency.
Creating an end of life plan is, without doubt, more important than all the other disaster scenarios because we all are going to die. Fact.
Only 20% of us will die suddenly, while 80% of us will live a longer than average life span. Most of us will acquire a chronic terminal illness that we will live with for many years before developing a terminal condition that will be our ultimate demise.
Regardless of a fast or slow death scenario, planning will:
Family members who put you first and follow your plan can come together as a team, often healing past differences.
Without an end of life plan and one that is easily available, the chances of realizing your final wishes are equivalent to making a birthday wish, crossing your fingers, followed by a New Year’s resolution ……… and then hoping it all comes true.
The conversation on death with family members and yourself can be daunting and confronting, but it is so much easier to do when we are well. The physical, emotional and financial risks are too high if we do not.
Every adult …. rich or poor …. family or single …..sick or healthy,
should have an end of life plan!
We have designed the Dying Your Way website and DYW Portal Program to guide you through the end of life decision making and creating that end of life plan that can easily be shared when the time comes.
Take the plunge. It is time well spent!
Claire O’Berry
For more information about
our DYW Portal Program