For children and parents, end-of-life planning is a taboo topic, but one online campaign is trying to change that.

Clayton Basi, Community Education Manager for Home Instead Senior Care, said the Compose Your Life Song initiative is meant to start conversations between seniors and adult children about end-of-life planning. According to Home Instead, seniors are more comfortable discussing these plans than adult children, with 89 per cent of seniors surveyed by the company saying they were comfortable with it, while 68 per cent of adult children could say the same.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 difficult financially, itB次元官网网址檚 difficult emotionally, it can be difficult because of the relationship between the child and the adult,B次元官网网址� said Basi. B次元官网网址淪ometimes itB次元官网网址檚 not peer-to-peer, itB次元官网网址檚 still parent-to-child.B次元官网网址�

The initiative is based on a free online tool where users complete a simple yes or no quiz about how theyB次元官网网址檝e planned so far, such as establishing a will, checking off an item on their bucket lists or mending a broken relationship. Once the questions are answered, there is a shareable audio/video representation which represents the userB次元官网网址檚 preparedness level. ItB次元官网网址檚 a tool built for social media, so itB次元官网网址檚 meant to be a modern conversation starter. There are also links to resources for more information on end-of-life planning.

Alistair Hicks, owner of the Greater Victoria Home Instead office (which provides non-medical, in-home care for seniors like meal preparation, bathing, and errands), said in a press release that end-of-life planning is more than just funerals and financial plans.

B次元官网网址淲hile the vast majority of seniors prefer to age at home, they may not realize the range of options available to them, and that this time in their lives requires planning, too,B次元官网网址� said Hicks.

Basi said one helpful guide is the B次元官网网址�40/70 rule.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚f you are 40 years old, or your parent is 70 years old, itB次元官网网址檚 time to start the conversation,B次元官网网址� said Basi. An online guide provides tips on how to have a respectful and mutually beneficial discussion.

Basi said it is important not to wait until a crisis or illness to discuss these topics. Beyond that, he recommends talking to experts like financial planners, care facilities if appropriate, and others.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 much better to start the conversation now and reduce stress and financial challenges later,B次元官网网址� he said.

To compose your own Life Song, visit

reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
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