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End-of-Life Resources

Biomedical Research Section

women talking and planning

 

Advance Care Planning 

An advance care plan, also known as a healthcare directive or living will, is an empowering and legally binding way for you to make your healthcare wishes known in the event that you are no longer able to communicate them for yourself. This can include different medical interventions, housing arrangements, and symptom management among other concerns.

While anyone can benefit from an advance care plan, these documents are particularly important for those who are terminal, elderly, or in the very early stages of an Alzheimer’s or Dementia diagnosis. These documents can only be completed while a person still has the legal capacity to do so, so it is imperative that they are completed as soon as possible.

Without an advance care plan in place, family members, caregivers, and medical professionals will be forced to make healthcare decisions on the behalf of the incapacitated person to the best of their ability. However, without prior knowledge of medical wishes, this can be a difficult and painful decision-making process.

The resources below can provide you with more information about healthcare directives/advance care planning, explain the importance of putting a plan in place, and different advance care planning documents so you can get started.

Estate Planning 

Estate plans are an important aspect of end-of-life planning. An advance care plan will take care of all healthcare decisions, and an estate plan will manage all financial assets. Having a will and/or trust in place can ensure your estate will be distributed as you see fit, any care needs will be covered, and your family can focus on being there for one another in difficult times.

These documents will also need to be completed while the person in question still has legal capacity to do so. Look to the links below to find resources and guidance on how to get financial assistance and put an estate plan in place.