Eve Stern, BSN, MS, LME suggest each of us "Start the Conversation" about End of Life Planning which was a real thought provoking presentation at last Friday's meeting. The presentation starts with the End of Life Facts Today. During the last two months of life, $56 billion is being spent. And 87% care plans are not available at the scene of an emergency. Plus, 25% of Medicare recipients spend more than the total value of their assets on out of pocket health care expenses in the last 5 years of life. A 2000 study found that costs were 35,7% lower for patients who had formal end-of-life discussions involving medical caregivers and family compared with those who had not.
Some of the facts. Death rate hold steady at 100%. 70% of patients die in hospital or institution. 90% of Americans say it's important to communicate what they wish for at end of life. Only 30% are having the conversation ahead of time. 80% of Americans say they want to have the conversation about end of life with their doctor. There is a steady decline in traditional funeral home business. There is a slow, growing number of states with Death with Dignity laws.
More than 25% of Americans are not able to make decisions regarding medical treatment at the end of life. Legal documents are critical, but an incomplete component of end of life planning. Various concerns center around whose life will you make better by preparing for the end of yours? There are several examples of End of Life Planning Tools. They include guidance and questions to complete directives and legal documents; create, compile and safely store documents & videos in a secure electronic vault and share the documents with family, loved ones, advisors and/or providers.
Write the Ending to Your Story. Empower people with last positive legacies without regret; live out your bucket list. Realize years remaining are precious so make the most of them and live the final days more purposely with meaning in the present.
Some of our members asked Eve about the online resources tools mentioned to do their end of life planning. They can be found at Final Roadmap. Separately, I will send a note about it's one time lifetime membership in a Club email.