February 6 2025

Coming Soon: Life-Care Planning Masterclass

kelsey@stcommunicationsstrategies.com Life Care Planning

Plan With Love. Care With Confidence.

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new Life-Care Planning Masterclass in a few months. (More details as the date gets closer, I promise.) Inspired by my new book “Because I Love You: My Book About Me,” this masterclass is more than an educational series — it’s a journey we’ll take together, step by step, as we navigate caregiving alongside our elder loved ones.

And I had a little help from my friends! This Life-Care Planning Masterclass includes more than 15 other EXPERT SPEAKERS from across the continuum of elder care.

Our goal? To plan and care for Mom or Dad – or whoever else they may be to you – with love, intention and purpose. My new masterclass will provide a person-focused approach to the life-care planning process, following the steps laid out in my book:

Why a Life-Care Planning Masterclass? We Plan Because We Care

I’ve shared this story many times here before. When my life partner, Brian LeBlanc, and I began our dementia journey together, we knew the path ahead would be challenging. Brian had been diagnosed several years prior with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

But we also knew something else: planning is the key to caring. We wanted no guessing; no ambiguity. We needed answers to questions like:

What were Brian’s medical care wishes when he could no longer speak for himself?
How would we coordinate care among multiple doctors and clinicians?
How would we safely navigate his advancing dementia?
How did he wish to be honored with dignity at the end of life?
What would be the contingency plan should I die or become incapacitated before him?

After nearly 30 years of helping individuals and families with all types of elder care, life-care planning became not just a professional focus but a deeply personal mission for me.

Caregiving is almost always overwhelming, whether your loved one is aging in good health or living with a terminal illness. There’s so much to think about — medical needs, financial decisions, legal preparations, personal care preferences, and so much more. It’s easy to feel lost, stressed or unsure of what to do next.

But here’s the truth: It doesn’t have to be that way.

Life-care planning is about taking control of the narrative, about making decisions before they become crises, and about creating a roadmap that empowers each care partner involved. When you plan with care, you create a sense of peace — not just for the care recipient, but for the entire care partner team.

As I said above, we plan because we care. This Life-Care Planning Masterclass is designed to help you do just that.

The Four Steps of Life-Care Planning

The Life-Care Planning Masterclass will follow the proven framework laid out in my book, “Because I Love You: My Book About Me.” Each session is built around the four key steps of life-care planning, guiding you through the process in a way that is practical, compassionate and deeply meaningful.

Here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: Getting to Know Each Other

This step is all about starting the conversation. We’ll focus on gathering basic information and important paperwork. We’ll build a foundation for future planning and begin the journey with clarity and intention.

When you start writing down the basics, it can feel dry or boring. But it’s easier to make changes later than to start from scratch. It gets more fun as time goes on.

Step 2: Tools for Living Your Best Life

Here, we’ll dive into the heart of person-centered care. What brings joy to your loved one? What gives them purpose? What do they want their future to look like?

This step requires creativity and compassion. It’s where the magic happens. Joy looks different for every person. Finding out what brings them joy and what activity gives them purpose is key.

When you go from being a caregiver to being a care partner, your entire approach shifts. Instead of doing things FOR the person, you find yourself doing things WITH them.

Step 3: Taking Care of Those Who Take Care of Us

Caregiving isn’t a sprint — it’s a marathon. In this step, we’ll focus on self-care for caregivers, supporting the care partner team and ensuring that support systems are in place for everyone involved. Here we’ll factor planned time off, supportive resources and other ways to refresh yourself.

After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Step 4: Final Stages Planning

Death is one of life’s certainties, but that doesn’t mean we can’t approach it with dignity, joy and peace. This step is about planning for the final stages of life, from comfort care to celebrating life and ensuring final arrangements are handled with love.

As I’ve often said, “If we look at the end of life as being horrible, that’s how it’s going to be. But if we plan properly, we can bring joy and purpose to those final moments.”

Expert Guest Speakers From the Continuum of Care

One of the most exciting aspects of the Life-Care Planning Masterclass is the inclusion of guest speakers representing every part of the continuum of care. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you navigate the complexities of life-care planning.

Our expert speakers will address legal documents, financial planning, Medicaid eligibility, supportive services and end-of-life care.

By bringing together professionals from diverse fields, this masterclass ensures that you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of life-care planning and access to the resources you need.

Why You Should Join the Life-Care Planning Masterclass

The Life-Care Planning Masterclass will transform the way you approach care. Here’s what you’ll gain:

Clarity: A step-by-step guide to life-care planning that breaks down complex topics into manageable actions.
Confidence: Tools, resources and expert advice to help you make informed decisions.
Community: A supportive group of caregivers, care partners, and professionals who understand your journey.

Most importantly, you’ll gain peace of mind. You’ll know that you’ve taken the steps to ensure your loved one — and yourself — are cared for with love, dignity, and purpose. If you don’t ask the questions, you’re left deciding what this person would want. It’s stressful, and you might get it wrong — even with love.

I look forward to seeing you! Stay tuned for a registration link.