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FINANCES
Money can be a stressful topic –
one survey showed that 30 percent
of Canadians cited financial stress
as a bigger worry than their overall5
ADVANCE CARE PLAN
Long before you can even imagine
dying, you should take care of
some practical things, such as set-
ting out an advance care plan to
ensure that you get the care you
want if you are unable to commu-
nicate, says Hochstetler. This plan
should cover issues like palliative
care, health interventions and who
will manage those decisions. “Get
the practical stuff done as soon as
possible and you can edit it as you
go,” says Hochstetler. Most impor-
tantly, once you’ve made your plan,
talk to your loved ones about what
it contains so that they can help
you carry it out. Check out
advancecareplanning.ca to get
started on your plan.4
MENTAL HEALTH
Every year, one in five Canadians
will experience a mental health
concern, according to the Cana-
dian Mental Health Association.
Mental health and addiction can
have genetic components, which
is one reason to discuss this once-
taboo topic. Another reason is so
that you and your loved ones can
receive support, says Hochstetler.THE TEN
8
POWER OF ATTORNEY
A power of attorney is a legal
document that gives someone the
authority to make decisions on
your behalf. You need to assign an
attorney for your personal care
(health and lifestyle) and your
property (finances). You need to
assign someone (or ideally two
different people) to manage these
aspects of your life if you become
incapable, and it’s key that you
inform your family about who that
person is and why. “It’s very
important to talk about what your
wishes are with the person who
will be making those decisions
when you can’t,” says Bales. “It’s
much better than when Mom ends
up in the hospital and no one
knows who the power of attorney
is or who is making decisions.”10
GRIEVANCES
Forgiving someone for a past
grievance or even discussing it can
lift a real burden, says Hochstetler.
She has seen clients debate
whether or not to open up a con-
versation with a family member
and then the person dies before the
client decides whether to reach
out. “They always beat themselves
up with guilt, saying ‘I wish I had,’
and then it’s too late,” says Hoch-
stetler. “If you can come to peace
and say that nothing, not even
death, will change your mind that
you want to make contact with
this person, then you won’t have
regrets,” she says.bh9
FUNERAL WISHES
While it might seem morbid, if
your future funeral details are
important to you, share those
wishes, recommends Hochstetler.
Let your loved ones know if you
prefer a burial over a cremation or
a celebration of life instead of a
funeral. Decide whether you want
it to be public or private and cheap
or extravagant, and make your val-
ues known, says Hochstetler.7
PERSONAL DOCUMENTS
From your computer password to
your bank documents, you should
share the location of this informa-
tion with a loved one so that they
know where to find it if they ever
need it.health. But it’s a relevant convo to
have. Whether the conversation is
with your children, your parents or
your extended family, if there’s a
goal you want to accomplish (such
as dividing up family assets), it’s
probably time to break out of your
comfort zone.