Planning Perspectives

COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on older individuals living in long-term care (LTC) settings. The majority of deaths in most countries around the world have been in LTC settings (>80%).[i] This pandemic has highlighted the horrific problems with family...

Given the current climate, with COVID-19 continuing to dominate the news headlines, we wanted to take a moment to lighten the mood by sharing a background story around how and why Plan Well Guide began years ago. Things sure have changed in half a decade, we’ve gone...

At times like this, aren’t you glad that we’ve learned from past viral pandemics and we have a Federal Government and Public Health Agency that are prepared to deal with the current crisis? Preparation, communication and coordination are the keys to navigating through...

A Perspective from a Critical Care Doctor COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way we, as a human race, live and interact with each other as a society. The rate of people who have been infected continues to rise on a daily basis, by the thousands. Currently, over...

Have you had some type of a family meeting where you’ve openly discussed your wishes, plans, and preferences for not only your future medical treatment but also, what happens to things like your assets or children in your absence? If you haven’t done this, make it a...

Want to give your loved ones a gift that will last long after you leave this earth? This gift will not cost you anything, does not require you to go shopping, and you can get this gift from the comfort of your own home. Wondering what this gift is that I’m talking...

My friend’s dad recently passed away. Despite his sudden passing in a distant city, my friend and his brother had both been named ‘executors’ on the will. My friend had to travel to a distant city to begin the process of taking care of his dad’s ‘affairs.’  I’d like...

I recently gave a talk on advance medical care planning at a public forum. During the question and answer period, an older gentleman stood up and announced, “I don’t need all of this. I am going to live to 110 in perfect health!” I admired his optimism. There is...

Frequently, I have a conversation with someone about the importance of advance medical care planning and the person responds back to me, “Oh, I’ve done that. I’ve been to my lawyer and filled out ‘those forms’ in their office.” Somehow, people feel like doing medical...

The tag line for the Plan Well website is ‘to live well and to die well, you need to plan well’. My mother-in-law provided me with a first-hand experience with the need to plan for final death preparations, particularly if you want to stay in your own home. She...