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Life Planning

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While important for every adult, planning for later stages of life is critical for older adults. Later life planning includes estate, funeral, advanced care, long-term care, and more depending on your family (e.g., a grandparent raising a grandchild). Unfortunately, many people often neglect these planning activities until a crisis occurs. The consequences of delaying these decisions cannot be overstated. For example, long-term care is complicated and costly. Without proper planning it may be difficult to get the care you prefer in the location of your choice (e.g., house, apartment, assisted living, nursing home, etc.).

All Life Planning Content

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Advance Care Planning

Not sure where to start when putting together an advance care plan for your loved ones? Learn some key considerations to get the conversation started.

Home health care specialist visiting with an older female adult.

Long-Term Care Planning

From assisted living to home health, learn some important tips for deciding which long-term care options best fit the needs and budget of your loved ones in their later years.

Older adult man getting assistance from a young, female caregiver.

Dementia Planning

It is important for you and your family to explore how you would want to be cared for if you were ever to receive a dementia diagnosis.

A man reviewing an information packet on creating a last will and testament.

End of Life Documents You Should Have in Place

COVID-19 infection and mortality rates fill the news programs. Across South Dakota and the nation, people are have made changes to their lifestyle and the way they accomplish many everyday activities. In response to this illness and the potential for long-term hospitalization and even death, individuals over 18 should also ensure their end of life documents are up-to-date.

Mother and daughter reviewing paperwork at kitchen table.

Seven Planning Tips and Reminders

Planning for care and end-of-life is overwhelming. This content may help you prioritize activities around planning for these eventualities in your life.

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Four Advance Care Planning Conversations

This information will help you understand the four advance care planning conversations you need to have about decisions you are asking others to make at the end of your life.

Filling in an advance health care directive form.

Advance Care Planning for Rural Families

Did you know that only one out of every three South Dakotans have filled out an advance directive? Check out this article to learn more about preparing your own advance directive.

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Retirement Tips: Surviving the First Year

Retirement is one of the most important transitions a person will experience during their life. A little forethought can really help a person reconcile their new identify as a retired person.

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Conversations that Matter: Advance Care Planning for Rural Families

Advance care planning is an important topic and is often discussed in small group settings. We have provided the tools to help you successfully lead a small group event to help teach others about advance care planning.

A group of men carrying a white coffin.

Funeral Planning

It can be difficult to plan exactly what you want to have done with your body following your death, but this planning is extremely important not only to your family, but for yourself as well.