We get it… The “Hospice Talk” is never easy. Emotions can run high for both the potential recipient of hospice care and everyone else in the family, and it can be one of those things that frequently gets pushed under the rug.

But truly, the right time to talk about hospice is now. No matter how old you are, no matter what your health conditions are… you should think about what you personally want and you should know and understand the preferences of your loved ones, too, before the pressure of making a decision “in the moment” happens.

To help you make sure that you’ve considered all the angles and discussed the most important aspects of hospice, here is a list of questions that you should either answer in a document like a will or living will, and/or that you should share with your loved ones.

1) If you need full-time care, where is the place that you would most prefer to receive that care? Is it at your home? A facility? In the home of a loved one?

2) Are the other people involved in your potential care willing and able to help out in the way that you would like? Are there certain compromises or accommodations you should discuss or even start planning for?

3) What extent of care do you want to receive? Do you want a DNR (do not resuscitate)? What happens if you are in a vegetative state? What level of medication(s) or life-prolonging care are you wanting to pursue?

4) What are your priorities as you think about the end of your life? Are there “bucket list” items that you want to do while you are still well enough to enjoy them? Are there unresolved conversations that need to happen? Are there fences that need to be mended? Are there things unspoken that should be said?

5) Have you considered your legacy? Are there certain stories that you want to preserve for future generations? Have you shared the stories of your parents, grandparents, and beyond? Are there stories about yourself that you’ve never shared before?

6) Have you written down all the information that someone needs to know at the end of your life? Do you need to have this information reviewed by an attorney? Does at least one other person know where to find all of your paperwork?

This list is obviously not exhaustive, and there are always more details you can ponder and discuss. What other end-of-life topics have you discussed with your family members? Share with us in the comments below.