The majority of people, 98%, wish to arrange their affairs to live well in their later years, and ensure that their end-of-life plans follow their wishes. Still, it is something that many people find challenging. Only 23% follow through with documenting and sharing those plans with their loved ones to carry out those wishes. Planning AHEAD is a course from UW-Madison Division of Extension, that takes a comprehensive approach to end-of-life planning. In seven, 1 ½ hour classes, Extension educators guide participants through examining health care wishes, handling financial changes, legal requirements and documentation, distribution of personal property, end-of-life decisions, dealing with grief, and the emotional ramifications of all of the above. The program is designed for people of all ages, both for those who want to prepare for their own passing, to make things easier/clearer for family/loved ones, and for those who have, or are in the process of, losing a loved one and are dealing with the transition. This course is not only available to those experiencing a serious illness, but is also for anyone who feels they would like to plan for the inevitable and share a concrete direction regarding their wishes. The course features a planning workbook to help define and organize the tasks and documents associated with end-of-life decisions. By working through these sessions, participants find that the financial/healthcare definitions, the question-answer format, helps to make these tasks less overwhelming and stressful. Local speakers with expertise on topics will be provided as a resource for several sessions. Fond du Lac County residents are invited to join an in-person course, Planning AHEAD, facilitated by Carol Bralich, Fond du Lac County Extension and hosted in partnership with the Fond du Lac Public Library. Registration is available on the library website, here: https://fdlpl.libnet.info/event/11513126
Classes are Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & November 13 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am at the Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St., Fond du Lac, WI. Workbooks will be provided for each participant. Questions can be sent to carol.bralich@wisc.edu or please call the Fond du Lac Extension Office 920-906-4620 for more information about Planning AHEAD. Check out the program website at https://aging.extension.wisc.edu/programs/planning-ahead/.
