What is Advance Planning?
Advance planning means exactly what it sounds like—planning in advance. It’s a process that involves making decisions regarding practically every aspect of your life, especially prior to becoming ill or mentally incapacitated (unable to make personal decisions).

Types of Advance Planning

• Financial and Retirement Planning: Helps to ensure sufficient funds are available for your desired lifestyle and future needs
  
• Estate Planning: to provide instruction for the distribution of property upon a person’s death
  
• Funeral Planning: to prearrange desired funeral service and burial arrangements
  
• Health Care Planning (End-of-Life Care Planning): Identifies what type of care your loved one would like to receive, the extent to which life-saving techniques should be used and who should make decisions if your loved one is unable to do so

The Importance of Advance Planning
By planning in advance how to handle different scenarios, a person can live their life as they desire and gain greater control over decisions that affect their future. Caregivers need to encourage their loved one to discuss these issues. This will help their loved one make their desires known and feel some measure of control over future uncertainties.