Tuesday, August 20, 2024

The majority of people, 98%, wish to arrange their affairs to live well in their later years, and ensure that
their end-of-life plans follow their wishes. Still, it is something that many people find challenging. Only
23% follow through with documenting and sharing those plans with their loved ones to carry out those
wishes.

Planning AHEAD is a course from UW-Madison Division of Extension, that takes a
comprehensive approach to end-of-life planning. In seven, 1 ½ hour classes, Extension educators guide
participants through examining health care wishes, handling financial changes, legal requirements and
documentation, distribution of personal property, end-of-life decisions, dealing with grief, and the
emotional ramifications of all of the above. The program is designed for people of all ages, both for
those who want to prepare for their own passing, to make things easier/clearer for family/loved ones,
and for those who have, or are in the process of, losing a loved one and are dealing with the transition.

This course is not only available to those experiencing a serious illness, but is also for anyone who feels
they would like to plan for the inevitable and share a concrete direction regarding their wishes. The
course features a planning workbook to help define and organize the tasks and documents associated
with end-of-life decisions. By working through these sessions, participants find that the
financial/healthcare definitions, the question-answer format, helps to make these tasks less
overwhelming and stressful. Local speakers with expertise on topics will be provided as a resource for
several sessions.

Fond du Lac County residents are invited to join an in-person course, Planning AHEAD, facilitated by
Carol Bralich, Fond du Lac County Extension and hosted in partnership with the Fond du Lac Public
Library. Registration is available on the library website, here: https://fdlpl.libnet.info/event/11513126
Classes are Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & November 13 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am at the Fond
du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St., Fond du Lac, WI. Workbooks will be provided for each
participant. Questions can be sent to carol.bralich@wisc.edu or please call the Fond du Lac Extension

Office 920-906-4620 for more information about Planning AHEAD. Check out the program website at
https://aging.extension.wisc.edu/programs/planning-ahead/.