End of Life Planning 3 of 3

This is the final part in our 3 part series of End of Life Planning.  On October 4, 2011 CNN reported that a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that advance directives are linked to less Medicare spending, lower likelihood of dying in a hospital, and higher usage of hospice care in areas of the U.S. that tend to spend the most on end of life care generally.  This is just one of many good reasons that planning, preparing and creating your legal End of Life Plan now, is a good decision: it will help your loved one, family and friends, it could help reduce costs and it will provide a road map for your medical team to follow.

I asked a few people if they have discussed End of Life Plans with their partners, family or friends and most of them said that they had not.  When asked why, some said that they have plenty of time and they were not too worried about it, while most said “that is just too morbid and uncomfortable.”  It is time that we take the stigma out of talking about death.  It is a natural part of life.  An observation I listened to today was when visiting a place of worship that was dedicated to celebrating the dead, a passage they read as they left was “Remember us.  We were once standing where you stand.  And you, at some point, will be where we are now.”  We can not predict how the future will be 5 minutes or 5 years from now.  Accidents, acute health issues, and other sudden, unplanned events can happen to any of us at any time.

It can begin with setting time aside to specifically discuss what your thoughts are on end of life, before any decisions are made.  We are happy to meet with you to help facilitate that discussion.  For some it comes with deep faith based beliefs, for some it comes with uncertainty, and yet others might have other thoughts or beliefs (and that is ok!)  Beginning the conversation is an important step to being on the road to have your decisions, wishes and plan created.

Regardless if you are in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, Inclusive Life can help you no matter where you live.  Call or email today to find out how we can help you co-author your End of Life decisions.  “If even dying is to be made a social function, then, grant me the favor of sneaking out on tiptoe without disturbing the party.”  Allow your loved one, family and friends the peace of mind knowing today, that should that plans for that party  are already made and that is one less thing that they have to manage or do when that time comes.

We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One plan at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all, without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006.

INCLUSIVE LIFE

In Omaha at 105 S. 49^th Street, Omaha, NE 68132

In Council Bluffs at 500 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503