Discussing end-of-life wishes and plans can be uncomfortable, but important. According to LegalZoom (www.legalzoom.com) only about 32 percent of Americans have created estate planning documents. Additionally, more than half (52 percent) of Americans don’t know where their parent’s important documents are located. Determining your own end-of-life wishes and discussing difficult topics with loved ones can help reduce stress and ensure final wishes are fulfilled.

The Boone County Cooperative Extension Service held a series of programs focused on aging and end-of-life decision making as we age because of previous programs, and discussion with the family and consumer sciences advisory committee. Programs held included “Wills and Other Important Documents,” “Dispelling Myths Surrounding Organ Donation,” and “Funerals and Funeral Planning.” Participants received University of Kentucky Extension estate planning documents, Federal Trade Commission information on funerals, and Kentucky government’s living will, and last wishes packets.  Participants were encouraged to talk with their loved ones about their wishes and prepare written documents and instructions for later life.

One hundred twenty-eight adults from the general public participated in one or more of the programs.  Evaluations were mailed to all participants about three months after the end of the sessions. Fifty-two (41 percent) surveys were completed and returned revealing:

35 (67 percent) shared information from the programs with more than 140 family and friends

21 reviewed or updated their will or other important papers and 4 individuals had a will or other legal documents created because of what they learned in the sessions

37 (71 percent) talked with their loved ones about their final wishes for body dispensation and organ donation.

20 (38 percent) reviewed the beneficiaries on their accounts and policies and one-fourth of those made important changes and updates to the information and 13 percent talked with their financial institutions to ensure the proper beneficiary designations are on their accounts.

Planning for, and communicating about, one’s distribution of assets and final wishes can lead to decreased stress and better preparation by loved ones.

End-of-life discussions and decisions may never be easy, but they will always be important. One individual shared “Very eye opening and informative” while another said “Important topics that many people avoid. Keep scheduling them.” Boone County Cooperative Extension will continue to offer programs to help individuals navigate the path of planning and communicating end-of-life documents and wishes.

6/4/2024