Making Future Plans With Advanced Cancer

Why plan aheadExplain▾

Thinking about the future can feel stressful, but there comes a time when it's helpful to make certain decisions. Careful planning reduces the financial, legal, and emotional burdens your family will face later on.

For many people, it's hard bringing up these subjects. But talking about them now can help avoid problems later, and can give your loved ones peace of mind.

Complete advance directivesExplain▾

If you haven't done so already, it's important to fill out advance directives. These are legal papers that tell your loved ones and doctors what to do for you if you can't tell them yourself.

Making these decisions now keeps you in control of how you want to be treated, and who you choose to be in charge of your care. By filling out advance directives, you're making your wishes known for all to follow. Doing so can also give your loved ones peace of mind.

Update insurance issuesExplain▾

Contact your health insurance company if you decide to try a new treatment or go into hospice. Most insurance plans cover hospice. They may also cover brief home visits from a nurse or a home health aide several times a week.

It's wise to ask in advance, because this may prevent payment problems later.

Put your affairs in orderExplain▾

You can help your family by organizing records, insurance policies, documents, and instructions. You may want to call a lawyer or financial planner to make sure you've taken the right steps. Your bank can answer questions about how to change accounts and credit cards.

Other helpful steps include:

• Make a list of where your family can find important papers.
• Keep your papers in a fireproof box or with a lawyer.
• If your papers are in a safety deposit box, make sure a family member or friend can access it.
• Although originals are needed for legal purposes, give family members photocopies.

Your family may need many different kinds of papers. You may not need everything on this list, but it's a helpful guide. For each item, write down contact information and what needs to be done:

• Banks, savings, and loans
• Safety deposit box information
• Life insurance company
• Health insurance company
• Homeowners' or renters' insurance company
• Attorneys
• Accountant
• Pension or retirement plans
• Investment companies
• Credit card companies
• Employer

Making funeral arrangementsExplain▾

If it feels right to you, you may want to help your family plan a funeral or memorial service that has meaning to you. Although this may seem hard, planning ahead can ease the burden on your loved ones after your death, so they don't have to make these choices during a time of strong emotions and stress.

Some people plan services that are celebrations, while others prefer something more subdued. Talk with your family about the type of service you would like.