GUELPH – Just in case.
A phrase so often used, it suggests the need to prepare; to determine needs should a particular situation arise.
“Tomorrow is not promised to any of us,” said Julie Martin-Jansen, rural outreach coordinator at Hospice Wellington.
Martin-Jansen helped create an end-of-life planning booklet entitled Preparing for ‘Just in Case’. She stresses that preparation is not just for those with a palliative diagnoses.
“Make those decisions when you can, this is the best gift you can give to your family, having this done. So, they don’t have to worry,” said Martin-Jansen.
“It is a ‘go-to’ for family members and loved ones that covers everything from wills, banking, advance care planning and power of attorney, to funeral wishes.”
The “Just in Case” file also contains a section for family photos.
“I know my children are not going to pick nice pictures of me,” Martin-Jansen said with a laugh.
“But there’s also a section for letters to family. If you want to write a letter or say something that you didn’t get to say, you can put those in here as well.”
Knowing what supports are available in the community for those with a palliative diagnosis, for caregivers and for anyone grieving, is crucial.
“People think that we’re just a residence,” Martin-Jansen said.
“They don’t know the extent of what we can do in the community or in their home. We want – and can be there – to help early on in the diagnosis, not just for the person, but for that family.”
Anne MacKay, personal giving officer with Hospice Wellington would like people to, “Call whenever you need us – it could be after a diagnosis of a year, it could be the last couple of months, the last few days.
“It can be after you’ve lost someone – anyone dealing with grief in the county.”
MacKay also noted, “You can be at home, in hospital, or in the residence. And there is no cost. You’re going though that tough time, and you shouldn’t have to pay.”
County-wide supports
Hospice Wellington also offers free virtual and in-person courses to anyone in Wellington County – from serving as executor to caregiver wellness and grief and bereavement sessions.
Certified financial planner Lynn Whetham will be presenting Hospice Wellington’s spring series on “Income tax reduction and estate tax elimination.”
She suggested, “Rather than naming your estate as beneficiary of your registered assets, consider naming a person/persons, or a charity/charities. This causes the asset to pass outside of your will and it is not included in probate.”
MacKay explained the need for such workshops.
“People think that ‘if I give money to a charity, there will be less to give to my family.’ Sometimes you can actually leave more to your family, because less is going to the government.”
Understanding the role of executor, and who might best serve that role is something to consider in estate planning.
“We have people here and in the community who are postponing dealing with grief, because the role of the executor is so complicated,” said MacKay.
“Grief takes away energy and focus because all of your energy and focus is on that executor piece. What about all the wounds that you have to start healing?”
Hospice Wellington’s “Serving as executor” spring series will be hosted by Debbie Stanley, CEO and senior estate administrator at Estate Trustees Professionals Canada.
“Consider the role of executor as a job opening for your estate,” Stanley said. “Does this person have the right skills, experience and time to administer your estate?
“Everyone thinks the role of executor is the job that is to be envied, however it’s a lot harder than you may realize and takes much longer than expected.”
Because the executor is usually a family member or a friend, “They are grieving the loss too. Having supports in place can help the executor administrate the estate effectively,” said Stanley.
Both MacKay and Martin-Jansen try to never say no to any request or service; instead they use their connections in the community to provide someone who can fulfill the request.
“You don’t want to leave people alone in their times of difficulty,” MacKay said.
Expanding outreach
Hospice Wellington is “ever-growing”, Martin-Jansen noted.
“We have a bereavement walking group in Mount Forest. We have three different caregiver groups in the community, we have workshops everywhere,” she said.
There are now over 180 trained volunteers with Hospice Wellington who spend time with clients throughout Wellington County in homes, in hospitals and in hospice.
“They are so compassionate. I have a gentleman who’s palliative, and all he wants to do is play pool or snicker. So our volunteer goes in and plays pool with him,” said Martin-Jansen.
“So many people don’t want to talk about dying and final wishes,” said MacKay.
Martin-Jansen noted that, “Even if your loved ones don’t want to talk about it,” you can tell them where your plan is.
“By making sure your loved ones know your wishes, you can make a rough time easier.”