Best Health – August-September 2019

30 AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 best health besthealthmag.ca

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YOUR WILL AND ESTATE

“Whether you’re young, married or

have children, if you have assets of

any value, you should have a will,”

says Karon C. Bales, a lawyer and

managing partner at Bales Beall

LLP in Toronto, “and then it’s a good

idea to let somebody know about it.”

Have a family meeting and tell your

family members where the original

is and who will be the executor, says

Linda Hochstetler, a registered

social worker and consultant based

in Toronto. The more you can own

your life and your decisions, the bet-

ter, says Hochstetler.

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ORGAN DONATION

More than 4,500 people are

waiting for life-saving organ

donations in Canada. Register

online with your provincial

or territorial body to become

an organ donor, and make

your wishes known to your

family members. Check out

theorganproject.net for info on

how to register in your area.

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FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY

Knowing your history of disease (on

both sides) is one of the most effec-

tive ways to manage your health.

Having this information on hand can

help your loved ones, like your kids,

do the same. Many medical condi-

tions, such as diabetes, cancer and

heart disease, often have a genetic

component. Understanding your risk

means that you can pursue genetic

testing, change your lifestyle or sim-

ply be more proactive about relevant

screening tests, such as mammo-

grams. You may be amazed at what

you can find out by simply asking

some simple questions at your next

family reunion.

IS

TO

C

K

Ten health conversations

you need to have

Having “the talk” is tough. Trust us, we know. But the thing is, if you wait for a cri-

sis to discuss your health, finances and future wishes, it’s even harder. Here’s what

• and how – to chat about now in the calm light of (an ordinary) day. | by KATE DALEY

THE TEN

THE TALK

How do you broach these potentially tricky topics? Tell your loved one “I have something I’d like to talk about, so let’s make a

plan for when that would be,” recommends Linda Hochstetler, a registered social worker and consultant based in Toronto.

For the best chance of success, don’t broadside the person. Instead, have a road map of things you’d like to discuss and ask

questions (like “Have you ever been curious about...?” or “Have you ever heard this story?”) rather than coming in with

declarations. Bring it back to their perception of the event or topic to break the ice.