Review by Susan James
(Editor’s Note: Susan reviewed “Before It’s Too Late-Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones Unprepared” an end-of-life planning guide.)
One of the most difficult moments in beginning my role as a caregiver for my father was having to search and hunt through his personal papers so that I could get everything organized into one place. Having this workbook at hand at that time would have been perfect. I believe this is a great tool for caregivers to be able to calmly gather all the important information they need, and have it all in one place ready when things come up and have as a handy reference tool, to preparing for final arrangements.
As I read through the workbook, the instructions were very clear and easy to understand. It covers everything you can think of, from private personal information, to employment, insurance, medical history, family history, insurance information, technology and personal property information, even business ownership information. There is a section for last will and advanced directives such as a DNR, living will, etc. Also included are those tough areas that are not easy to think about, let alone talk about: the final arrangements, a place to write the obituary and, if there are family pets involved, what is to be done with them.
My only concern with this book is that so much personal information is listed from banking account numbers, credit card account numbers, social security number, etc. This book is large in size and you really need to make sure you have a good sized fire- and waterproof- safe to keep it in. The book would not fit in the safe that my father typically uses now. The book also is not able to bend to fit inside. Before we can use this to its fullest potential, we have to wait until we have a bigger waterproof safe to put it in.
This book is as valuable as life itself with all the information it contains.
