In last week’s column, I related the story of a friend who raced to the airport after getting a call about his dad’s sudden illness.  I can report that after a few shaky days in the hospital, Rick’s dad is home and regaining strength to be able to withstand a much needed quadruple bypass. This week I would like to share another such story, but without the same hopeful ending.  On Thursday, I received word that a loved one living overseas had become suddenly ill, followed by the news that the diagnosis was meningitis and soon after I received the call disclosing the fact that he had passed away, all within a three day period.  As immediate family members scrambled to make their way home for the funeral, the realization struck the entire family that this was not the person who anyone had expected to have to worry about. In fact he was a relatively young and healthy man, who was patriarch to his entire extended family. People in his community always came to him when they were ill or in trouble and he always had an answer for every situation.  Now what?  Although he left behind a loving family and a smart, strong and creative spouse, I hope he had taken the time to discuss his final wishes with his family members. 

Which of course, brings me to one of my favorite rants, I know that through the Fearless Caregiver Conferences we host around the country, more caregivers than ever have all of the necessary legal documents in place for their loved ones.  Unfortunately, I still do not see a marked increase in raised hands when I ask if the caregivers in attendance have created Wills and Advanced Directives for themselves.

If you are putting off taking care of these very important documents for yourself or your loved ones, please take the time necessary this week to take care of business. There is never a better time than now.

http://www.caregiver.com\articles\general\advance_directives_FAQ.htm   

Join me for a three day workshop at the Omega Institute,  August 13-15. I look forward to seeing you there.

For those living in the Los Angeles area, please join us at our Los Angeles Fearless Caregiver conference on September 15.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Rest In Peace:
Congressman Vicente Andaya
(1941-2004)

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com