Later Life, Retirement Transition, and
End-of-Life Planning Services
“Action is the difference between dreams and reality”
At Planned Wishes, we specialise in providing you with a range of Services that include:
- blogs and feature articles
- books, guides, and checklists
- information seminars, workshops, and
- consultancy
to help you plan and enjoy Later Life whilst being prepared and at peace for the End of Life.
Whether you are over 50 and still working, planning for retirement, or already retired and searching for new ideas and information to be better prepared in Later Life or End of Life, then Planned Wishes will be a valuable resource to you.
Today’s, older generation is more active, healthier and have a much longer life expectancy. This age group is looking at redefining and creating their own futures without the limitations of the past generations and stereotypical attitudes that still exist in our society. Planned Wishes is an Australian business helping you to plan for your next stage of life.
Later Life Planning
Almost all the current retirement planning is focused on the financial aspects of your retirement.
There is more to your retirement than just your investments
Yet the transition into retirement has little to do with money.
The non-financial issues and opportunities that are never part of the traditional retirement planning is what Planned Wishes deals with, it’s about the other aspects that will impact on your retirement lifestyle.
The majority of retirees believe that if you have enough superannuation and a good financial plan, then everything will be all right
No, it won’t.
Reality of Retirement
The reality is, retirement is a totally new stage of your life, you are starting out and often inadequately equipped for the dramatic change of lifestyle and the corresponding effects this will have on you emotionally, mentally, socially and physically.
It is common for many people:
- to spend their early retirement years struggling to determine who they are and have a meaning in life.
- concerned that retirement doesn’t seem like the life they thought it would be
- question their decision to retire when they did or dwelling on the past “if only”
- struggle to replace the things they thought they would do but cannot due to various physical or health issues that seem to plague them like back or knee pain. These ailments seem to be more limiting than they thought they would be
- feeling isolated because of failing hearing, vision and not enjoying social events due to these problems
- sense of being rejected and isolated as they no longer have a close network of mates, or are invited to various functions. Dwindling number of phone calls and people stop visiting
- not having any formal job titles, position descriptions, reviews or pay rises that many people evaluate their status or success by. Especially, if your self-worth and identity are linked with your past job or career.
You need to determine different ways to handle these issues and how you will measure personal success and satisfaction. While not becoming detached and feel anxious, or worthless which can lead you down a path to depression and failing health.
Don’t cheat yourself out of
the limited time you have.
If you would like to receive independent views on how to deal with these various challenges and opportunities, visit the Planned Wishes website now. Our range of informative blogs and tools can be a useful source of information. Alternatively, you can book a session to talk with one of our consultants.
Avoid concentrating on excuses like “I’m too old” or “I don’t have the energy” to stop you from doing what you have wanted to do for years. The choice is ultimately yours.
Don’t waste your retirement.
So, if you are you retired and:
- enjoying your new retirement, but wonder what’s next?
- feel a bit isolated because your social work connections are gone?
- want to live more meaningful and healthy lifestyle?
Make the most of your retirement before time ticks by
Or thinking of retiring and:
- not clear about the timing and need an exit strategy?
- want help finding a meaningful purpose for your time?
- considering establishing a new career, a business or just have a great idea of something you want help to make happen?
Planned Wishes can help you through partnering with you and use our skills, experience and in-depth, practical methods to listen and help you become clearer about what Service you want, help you plan it, and then make it happen.
Our main areas are:
Get In Touch with Planned wishes today.
We will talk with you in person, online or by telephone and focus on you. We can start wherever you are at in your Later Life and stop with our Services when you feel ready to move on.
Tell us what Services you’re interested in exploring. We will be in touch with you to set a time for a conversation where we can tailor a plan together, based on your interests and needs absolutely Free.
Get in touch with us today Planned Wishes
End of Life Planning
When people hear the term “End-of-Life planning,” their first thought is either it’s about burial and funeral arrangements or Wills. But there is so much more? The harsh reality is that someday each of us will die. It’s certainly not easy to talk about death and dying and its infinitely more difficult for one to go through a terminal illness. We owe it to our family to be open and willing to discuss those difficult concepts of long-term illness or medical care as well as death or dying.
Where there is life, there is death.
It is inevitable for us all
As a community, we avoid speaking about it as if by doing so it will hasten our departure. We choose to believe that we will live to grow old and that death will be a quick and sudden event occurring whilst we sleep. That’s not always the case. As it’s not a fun topic to talk about, we often don’t talk about it nor do we plan for it properly, if at all.
Often family members are thrown into a situation in which they must make life and death decisions about a loved one’s life. They usually will struggle with this and probably not make the best decisions while in a highly emotional, and distressed state of mind. Many family members believe they should make sure everything is possibly done to keep their loved ones alive. But is that what you would want:
- if you are going to be bedridden on a machine for your remaining life?
- would it lead to a better quality of life or a loss of your dignity?
- will you be suffering unnecessarily?
Feelings of guilt overcome families when they realise they haven’t discussed End-of-Life Care wishes with their loved ones previously.
Of course, I understand the appeal of ignoring the issue as it’s the easy option. Blocking out the inevitable just means that ultimately you won’t get the best level of care when the time comes — and the time will come. This is procrastination at its worst, this is the end of your life, where avoiding it may mean prolonged pain, anxiety, fear, and family feuds.
What Do We Plan For?
We are encouraged to plan, for:
- holidays,
- our careers,
- buying a house,
- our wedding,
- having a birthing plan, and a
- financial plan (only some of us).
But we usually don’t think about planning ahead for life-threatening events, serious illness or injury until it happens, let alone our End-of-Life Care options.
End of life is a journey that you must plan for like
any major event you know is going to happen.
The sad truth is, countless number of people die (whether expected or unexpectedly) each year without any End-of-Life Planning in place. What makes this situation worse is they die without leaving behind any documentation about their final wishes or preferences. This often causes family’s and loved ones an immeasurable amount of emotional stress and financial cost.
What End-of-Life Decisions are There?
We should make an effort to talk about possible End-of-Life Decisions or scenarios with our loved ones. Planned Wishes helps people to talk about and understand how each of the following items could play a role as you or your loved one’s age, including:
- Will’s
- Advance Care Planning
- Advance Health/Care Directives
- Type of medical treatment you want or don’t want
- Power of Attorney or Guardianship
- Short-term and Long-term Care
- Quality of Life and Palliative Care
- Organising and storing your important documents
- Establishing your funeral plans and arrangements
- General Estate planning concepts
- Determining the “first steps” you need to begin with
We often assume incorrectly our loved ones will know our wishes about the type of medical care we would wish to have or not have should we become incapable of making our own decisions. It is common that we never actually discuss our wishes with family members or a designated individual. Care issues become even more important when facing a debilitating disease like dementia.
By taking a small amount of time in planning our wishes for End-of-Life, documenting, and considering the financial impact of some of the aspects such as funerals, you can be sure that your family and loved ones will thank you. And best of all, you will always be remembered for leaving this wonderful gift of a lifetime for your loved ones.
When Should End-of-Life Plans be Made?
End-of-Life planning decisions should be discussed as early as possible. Talking about these plans may make you uncomfortable or seem irrelevant if you’re young, but the earlier you start, the better off you and your loved ones will be. These documents can be updated and changed over time as required.
Planned Wishes can help you with your planning for End-of-Life and leave your loved one’s better prepared. We can and use our skills, experience and practical advice to listen and help you become clearer about what you want recorded in preparation for your end of life journey. We assist through consultations, provision of worksheets, information and checklists Services. Particularly on how to have End of Life conversations with your loved ones to writing legacy letters, sharing your wishes and organizing the type of funeral you would want.
By planning your wishes for End-of-Life, we not only leave a priceless gift for our loved ones, but we also gain clarity on how you can live your life to the fullest by making each day count.
Contact Planned wishes today.
We will talk with you in person, online or by telephone and focus on you. We can help you with any of our Services or if you are just thinking about it, need independent advice or want to know where to from here.
Just let us know what Services you’re interested in talking about. I will be in touch with you to set a time for a conversation where we can tailor a plan together, based on your interests and needs with the first consultation Free.
Contact Planned Wishes today.
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