Why ‘We Plan Because We Care’ Should Be Every Care Partner’s Motto
If there’s one phrase as a Board-certified Patient Advocate that has guided me through every conversation, every decision, and every late-night moment of worry in my personal care partner journey, it’s this:
“We Plan Because We Care.”
It’s more than a slogan. It’s a way of living. And in my Life-Care Planning Masterclass, I teach this as the foundation for everything we do — because without a plan, even the most loving intentions can get lost in the fog of crisis, confusion and caregiving chaos.
But with a plan? Oh, friends — with a plan, we find our way back to love, to purpose, to peace.
Caregiving Without a Plan is Like Sailing Without a Compass
I’ve sat across the table from countless families over the last 30 years, or so. Some of them were just beginning their care partner journey. Others were knee-deep in it. Some were reeling in grief and regret on the verge of saying goodbye to a loved one.
The difference between those who felt grounded and those who felt completely overwhelmed almost always came down to one thing: planning.
We don’t wait to talk about the important stuff when we’re already in the ER, scrambling for a healthcare proxy and guessing whether Dad would want to be intubated. We don’t leave decisions up to memory when memory may one day be fleeting. We don’t assume we’ll “figure it out later” — because later comes sooner than you think.
“Later” blindsides you. That health emergency hits like a sledge hammer.
I’ve been there. As my late life partner, Brian LeBlanc, navigated Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, we knew we had to make decisions while he still could. Difficult as those conversations were, they brought us closer, gave us clarity, and ultimately gave us peace.
We planned because we cared — deeply, fiercely and fully. We practiced – I called them “fire drills” – because we cared and loved enough to avoid chaos at all costs.
Life-Care Planning is an Act of Love
I always say that life-care planning isn’t about death — it’s about living. Sure, a death with dignity is the final chapter in that plan. But it’s not about getting to that inevitable point.
It’s about caringly managing every step up to and through the end. It’s about making sure that your loved one (and yes, you too) can live a life that feels meaningful and dignified — even as circumstances change.
In short, A LIFE WORTH LIVING. So, of course, we plan because we care.
As devoted and loving care partners, we must work alongside our elder loved ones to build a plan that honors your loved one’s identity, their preferences, their routines and their joy.
When the hard days come — and they will come — you’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from love.
That’s what my Life-Care Planning Masterclass is all about.
‘We Plan Because We Care’ Means You Matter, Too
As care partners, we often put ourselves last. We sacrifice our sleep, our health, our sanity and sometimes our dreams because we love the person we’re caring for so much.
But you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Life-care planning isn’t just about organizing paperwork or understanding Medicaid. It’s also about you — and how to make sure this caregiving journey doesn’t take everything from you. It’s about self-care, support systems and giving yourself the tools you need to keep going.
When we say “we plan because we care,” we mean we care about your loved one — and we care about you, too.
It’s Not Too Late. And It’s Never Too Early.
Maybe you’re just starting to notice some memory slips. Maybe Mom just received a cancer diagnosis. Maybe Dad’s still living independently, but getting around is painful and you’re worried about what’s next.
Now is the time to plan!
Maybe you’re already in deep — managing medications, juggling appointments, losing sleep, and feeling like you’re drowning.
Now is the time to plan!
Or maybe you’ve already faced the hardest parts, and you want to prepare better for the next season of life — for yourself or someone else you love.
Now is the time to plan!
Life-Care Planning: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
The caregiving journey is a hard one, but you are not alone. You have a community. You have support. And now, with the Life-Care Planning Masterclass, you have a roadmap.
Together, we’ll walk through the steps. We’ll laugh, cry, share stories, and build a plan rooted in love.
Because at the end of the day, planning isn’t about control — it’s about care. And when you plan with love, you give your loved one (and yourself) the greatest gift of all.
So let’s say it together: We Plan Because We Care. And that makes all the difference.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me directly at MaureenRulisonpatientadvocate@gmail.com.
