It always feels like it’s too soon... until it's too late. By Zoe Harris
Introduction
It is always a pleasure to share a guest blog and this time I am delighted to host Zoe Harris, founder of My Care Matters.
Zoe talks about the inspiration behind her business and the development of My Future Care Handbook. The Handbook is a great asset to Advance Care Planning, and something I regularly use with my Lasting Power of Attorney Clients. Zoe closes with a call to action to have, document and share important conversations.
Thank you Zoe.
Clare: Tell us a little about you and why your work matters?
Zoe: The work I do was originally inspired by the experience of my late husband who lived with dementia. I developed a simple wall chart to communicate things he'd have talked about if he'd been able, to help carers know about the things that mattered to him. Variations of that original chart, which we called the Remember-I'm-Me Care Chart (and are still in use!) went on to be adopted by over 1,400 care homes.
We then created an online version: Mycarematters Profiles, and it was while we were developing and trialling that I realised how much more there was to do in order to reduce the stress caused by a potential health crisis, for ourselves and our families, so that led to two further years of research which resulted in the Handbook, first published in 2021. It matters because getting plans in place brings peace of mind as soon as we’ve got plans in place, and better outcomes as we grow older or less well.
Zoe Harris, founder of My Care Matters
Clare: Can you describe the My Future Care Handbook?
Zoe: It's a gentle walkthrough of all the things that every adult should be aware of in terms of future planning and advance care planning, including documents that we should all have in place, regardless of our age or state of health. We focus on living well so it also includes fact sheets on things like healthy eating, financial planning and a whole lot of other stuff.
Clare: What changes are in the latest (4th) edition?
Zoe: We've expanded the Power of Attorney section and added some more fact sheets: post death practicalities, first aid and medical emergencies, and scams and digital security. We’ve also created a set of simple digital forms if people would like to store their information in a spreadsheet rather than in the Handbook itself. A link to that is included with every Handbook sent out, and owners of past editions can email us to request that, plus PDFs of the new sections: info@mycarematters.org.
My Future Care Handbook (4th edition)
Clare: How can people find out more about the courses you run or buy the handbook?
Zoe: We run free training for anyone supporting people who would benefit from making plans for the future, so those interested in that can email us: info@mycarematters.org. Also ask us about the bulk discounts we can offer on Handbooks. And individuals wanting one or more copies can buy them here: https://mycarematters.org/store/posters-prints-books/my-future-care-handbook/
Clare: What key message would you like to share?
Zoe: Two messages if you’ll allow me! Firstly, it always feels like it’s too soon... until it's too late. Don't make the mistake of leaving it 'until you need it' because that will definitely be too late. And perhaps almost as important for those with family, do have a conversation with them so they are clear about what you want, and where your documents are stored.
To find out more about my Lasting Power of Attorney service contact me
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