Need motivation and a reason to consider integrating values-based, end-of-life conversations into your organizational workflow? Or perhaps you are ready, and just need some simple steps to help you get started? Check out the following resources, which we hope will ignite your thinking, tug at your heart and spring you into action.
Case studies
Financial advisors can play a vital role in supporting their clients as they plan ahead. Beth Gamel, Managing Director at Argent Wealth Management, exemplifies how a financial advisor can steward clients as they identify and document what matters most to them. Gamel is no stranger to experiences with death. So when she heard Ellen Goodman talk about The Conversation Project’s message regarding the importance of end-of-life care conversations, it personally hit home. Her personal experience with loss has informed how she approaches working with her clients. This case study shares Beth’s story, outlines steps she took, and lessons learned for others to consider.
Ever since 2014, a spark has been ignited and is spreading across Fidelity to integrate conversations about end-of-life care into conversations about financial and estate planning. Fidelity leadership knew this was a natural fit given the myriad financial decisions that relate to a person’s longevity. They also recognized that financial advisors may be one of the first ones to notice a family member’s decline in health. The question wasn’t “Why should we?” but rather became “Why wouldn’t we incorporate end-of-life discussions as a crucial additional planning step to support our clients and families?” This case study shares ideas, where to start, lessons learned, and provides links to resources for advisors and clients.
Sample article to make the case
An article published by the Society for Certified Senior Advisors in their journal to show professionals how they can provide a community service by helping to initiative conversations.
One-page getting started guide
Many professional service groups recognize that integrating The Conversation Project Conversation Starter Guides and other resources into their practice is one way to support and build deeper relationships with their clients and families (the next generation), decrease potential family conflict, and ultimately help enable clients to live their best life until the end of their life. This one-pager lists a few key steps to help you get started, based on what we’ve learned from these groups over the years.
Talking points
This short resource outlines WHY you should have this conversation with your clients, WHAT your role is, and WHEN you should have the conversation – and provides a sample script to help you break the ice.
Conversation Starter Guides to share with clients
Talking with your loved ones openly and honestly, before a medical crisis happens, gives everyone a shared understanding about what matters most to you at the end of life. You can use this Starter Kit (in multiple languages) whether you are getting ready to tell someone else what you want, or you want to help someone else get ready to share their wishes.
In addition to having the conversation, it’s important to choose a health care proxy or agent – the person who will make decisions about your medical care if you become unable to make them for yourself. We have two versions (in multiple languages) of this user-friendly guide that offers facts and tips necessary to make sound decisions about choosing, and being, a health care proxy/agent.
Since 2014, we’ve worked deeply with and learned a tremendous amount from several forward-thinking financial services organizations, as well as numerous individual champions in the financial, legal, and estate planning field. These case studies, checklists and talking points are a direct result of their work on the ground to take the leap and try this out with clients and families. We are so grateful to them and to be able to share these lessons widely!
Are there other resources you are using to help jump start these conversations with your clients and families? Comment and share below!
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