Caring Now, Planning Ahead

A workshop + support group that empowers caregivers balancing eldercare and end-of-life planning

Caregiving for older loved ones can be lonely, confusing, and overwhelming. Whether it's managing doctor visits, moving them to a new home, or focusing on their end-of-life care,  the work is intensive and complicated, and it often fluctuates between slow progress and urgent needs.

Caring Now, Planning Ahead is part-workshop, part-support group. In four sessions, we cover topics related to eldercare, such as having hard conversations, hospice care, end-of-life planning, and other caregiving challenges. We’ll then facilitate a discussion driven by participants’ particular caregiving needs. 

The purpose of this workshop is to offer guidance, resources, and support. We know many of you are also working full-time and maybe raising children. This time — one hour every other week — can offer a place of education, support, and camaraderie.

And of course, staying true to The Heartwood Collective’s mission, we’ll help you think about what you want for your own end-of-life preparation. While it may feel premature, thinking about and planning for yourself will give you a head start on getting your own affairs in order for your family and gaining precious peace of mind.

Who will benefit from this workshop?

  • You are currently managing, supporting, and navigating the needs of your aging relatives. You may be just starting to see signs of aging or declining independence and you want to be ready, or you may be in the thick of it. 

  • You are looking for like-minded individuals to share experiences, coping methods, and challenges. Maybe you’re worried that you’re burdening others in your life, and you want to have time with people going through similar challenges with whom you can brainstorm, vent, and give and get support.

THE WORKSHOP Details

FALL Zoom Workshop: Tuesdays at 4pm PST / 7pm EST:

Sept 30, Oct 14, Oct 28, Nov 11

___________________________

Please plan on attending all four dates.

Cost: $275/person

  • TESTIMONIALS

    Jen and Karen's graceful guidance combined with the space to share ideas, perspectives, and different ways of looking at the subject of mortality, make Peace of Mind Planning a great workshop.

    — Jake

  • TESTIMONIALS

    With Jen’s experience, patience and professionalism, I was finally able to face the daunting task of completing an Advanced Directive. Jen gently, and with great empathy, helped me face and explore my experiences and feelings surrounding the end of life. 

    By the end of this work, I felt heard and understood.  Jen’s insightfulness, patience and kindness are all exceptional.  I cannot recommend Jen more highly, for this work or other End of Life Doula support.

    — Karen

  • TESTIMONIALS

    Peace of Mind Planning is a great way to begin thinking about something we all will go through, but may push off planning for. The Peace of Mind Planning workshop is a smart combination of practical planning, resources, and thoughtful reflection.

    — Louis

  • TESTIMONIALS

    Jen met me where I was emotionally and brought me and my family immediate comfort with her compassionate spirit. Jen helped me navigate my husband’s transition into Hospice care at home and helped me establish a caregiving team when my husband’s health declined and he urgently needed skilled bedside care beyond what I knew. She helped me organize, coordinate and harness the power of our community, who were all so eager to give, help in any way possible, drop off meals, etc.  No task was too big or too small for Jen – from helping tidy up our home to helping arrange end of life details and logistics, to helping plan my husband’s Celebration of Life, Jen was my quarterback, my sounding board and communicator. I’m beyond grateful for Jen and can’t imagine where I’d be today without her.

    — Minda

  • TESTIMONIALS

    I finally got myself and my husband going with our own end-of-life planning, which feels great.

    — Laurie

  • TESTIMONIALS

    The Peace of Mind Workshop is a great way to familiarize yourself with the landscape of end-of-life planning for yourself and your loved ones. Whether you've completed a Life File or have no idea what to put in one, this workshop can help you prepare. Jen and Karen offer a holistic consideration of death and tools for mitigating the emotional and practical ways that the end of a life unfolds in the lives of those who remain.

    - Sasha

Frequently Asked QUESTIONS

  • Yes! Being prepared at any age is important. Anyone over the age of 18 should have some form of advanced directive/wishes documentation. Important biological and account information should always be readily accessible to family members/next of kin so that they are not left searching for this information while also grieving.

  • Absolutely. Whether you have an estate planning lawyer and/or a financial planner, this class is still pertinent as we address things outside the scope of legal and financial planning such as end of life wishes and disposition.

  • We understand, life is busy. We do ask if you are unable to attend the first session that you wait until the next series. If you can’t make one of the others, we’ll share pertinent info for you to complete tasks on your own.