Today’s two lessons were all about reviewing. There is a lot of new language to learn and the instructor repeats herself many times so the terms become familiar. Most of it is making sense to me now so I think her repeating is working.
We were given some more resources to look up to ensure that we understand what applies in our state. I am grateful I have my notary papers in process as in KS several of the forms have to be notarized. I should receive my notary approval within the next 30 days.
I spent some time today organizing all the forms into folders so I can easily find them. I had quite a stack a papers growing on my desk and it drives me crazy not to be able to find what I need easily. I will need to make some copies of some of the forms so I have them available when I meet with clients. I need to put the originals in a plastic sleeve so I don’t give them away.
I went to the website for the Secretary of State for KS and did the initial paperwork to register My Hand in Yours, LLC as my business name. I will need to get the LLC paperwork drawn up but that can wait a bit. I also found business insurance and got that taken care of.
I’m still not sure how much business I plan on doing but for the first year I will do things by the book and decide from there what I want to do for the following years.
I found out the easiest way for a person to donate their body to medical research. If the body is accepted the medical research place will pick up the body, issue a death certificate, and then at some point return the cremated remains to the family. All of this happens with no charge to the family. I am seriously considering having this done for my body. Saves the expense of a cremation and someone could benefit from my body. I know of two different families that did this and I see it as a wonderful benefit for medical science.
I found out in one of my lessons today that one of the graduation requirements is to do a public presentation on the importance of having Advanced Directives. I will have to give this some thought as to where I might do so. I will check with the Senior Centers in Chase and Lyon County and see if they allow such a thing to happen. It would be a good way to find some clients that I could help.
I have decided to not have a flat fee but instead allow my clients to pay what they think the service is worth. I’m sure some will pay $10 and some will pay much more than that. It will all even out. I’m looking to earn back what it has cost me to take the course and order my supplies. The rate the instructor recommends is way too much – especially for this area. She lives in New York and can probably get that there. Don’t think I would have many clients if I tried to charge $1,000 – $1,500 like she suggests.
The other graduation requirement is to work with someone from start to finish on writing out their Advanced Directives. I have three people that have volunteered to let me work with them. I’m waiting on finishing the rest of my training and for my supplies to come in before I get those sessions scheduled.
There is also a written test that I will have to take. Not sure how long or big the test is but I can usually pass those fairly easily so that shouldn’t be an issue.
When I finish this class I still have three other classes to work on. The Death Doula class requires 15 hours of bedside service to a dying patient. Hospice hasn’t called me back so I’m not sure how I will get those hours in. Not sure that is the path I want to take with this training anyways although I would like to have a bit more experience with that path. I attended the death of both of my parents and those hours count. I have to attend a total of three deaths to graduate so only need one more. If it is meant to be that I get that certificate a way will be shown to me.
I have a physical scheduled for August and will practice what I preach and have a discussion with my doctor about my wishes for end of life care. I want to take a copy of my advanced directives for myself and make sure they are entered into my medical records. I think I did this before with my other doctor but not sure the records transferred when I changed doctors.
My kids are all coming Sunday for a family day. I will again communicate with them what my wishes are so they are all on board with my decisions. Surely not planning on them needing to know that information immediately but it will be good practice for me to communicate to them as that is what I will be asking my clients to do to their families.
Thinking about death sure helps me be grateful for living and the little things that happen throughout the day. My appreciation for all the blessings I have continues to grow and deepen. I am embracing the thought that some day things will change. I see death as my next grand adventure so I don’t fear death. Making my end of life plans feels like a gift I am giving my family ahead of time.
Grateful for the rain we got on the prairie last night. Grateful for the cooler temperatures. Grateful for knowledge that helps me make better decisions about my end of life plans.