End-Of-Life Planning

Call to Action

Dying and Death…. not a subject that is discussed like the weather or a topic that most even wish to think about, never mind discuss.  But it is an inevitable part of each of our existence.

The following are some probative questions to get you thinking about the process of aging and death:

Do you plan to return to your home country when you get to a point that you can no longer care for yourself?   

Care for yourself would include, but not be limited to, the ability to:

• manage finances
• hire/supervise/fire helpers to provide care for you and your pets
• obtain medical services that you may need for comfort or survival

If you plan to return to your home country…

• Have you talked with your loved ones about this?
• Do you have family/ friends with time and willingness to care for you?

If assisted living is your plan, have you saved up the $$ you will need?  What if your good health turned a corner quickly?  

• Do you have family/friends, who could come on short notice to get you packed, close up your home and settle your affairs for you?

 If you got “stuck” in Ecuador, or are here by choice “forever”:

Do you have friends who would (and could) come on short notice to:

• negotiate medical care for you in Quito?
• stay with you until you stabilize?
• take care of you at home?
• find contractors to adapt your home for you?
• manage your affairs for you?

The above points are a lot to think about…..AND…….

THE REALITY HERE IN  ECUADOR:  

• There are no social service organizations that will be able to do these things for you.
• Most ex-pats in Cotacachi are retired and not looking for a FT volunteer job of trying to sort out other expat’s issues who have not thought ahead:  “Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.”
• Cotacachi expats who have NOT planned ahead have crashed medically and/or died and have placed undue burden on friends and neighbors.

But there is help...

Jennifer Munns Burnham, has formed a group called “Aging Out Beautifully” in Cotacachi.

This group…..

• Talks openly about aging and dying in Cotacachi
• Takes on the dreaded paperwork of death preparation
• Identifies what’s needed in order to age and die well in Cotacachi
• Identifies & pool resources that could develop solutions to long term and hospice care
• Consciously chooses quality over quantity of life (Natural Longevity instead of Medical Longevity) – that is, be “good to go” and “just say no” to the Ecuadorian medical model

The group works on….

• Developing relationships to support each other Before Crisis (personal support networks)
• Attempts to avoid the frustrations of living in isolation in the case of long-term disability
• Addresses aging without the fears of “what will happen to me?”

If you wish to be part of this group to  “Age Out Beautifully” in Cotacachi, please email Jennifer direct at boomer.advocate@gmail.com

Funeral Homes