Time to talk about death

The ‘Afore Ye Go’ free information sessions will offer an informative and sensitive approach to topics including power of attorney, guardianship, advance directive, wills, care home costs, trusts and legal aid.
A statement from Annandale and Eskdale Health Improvement Team said: “There is a saying by Benjamin Franklin that, ‘There are only two certainties in life—death and taxes’.
“And whilst neither are pleasant areas of life for discussion or thought, they will, nonetheless, happen to us all.
“The purpose of this event in Annan is to encourage people to initiate these conversations with their families and loved ones before they need to.”
Organisers say that having earlier conversations about health and any future care required enables wishes to be known and recorded so that services can work to provide the best care andsupport when needed.
And they say that keeping well and living well, prevention, forward planning and being in control so that you can ‘live your life to the full’ are all key to the work being taken forward by the Annan One Team.
Previous ‘Afore Ye Go’ events across Annandale and Eskdale have proved successful.
Noting people can be resistant and nervous about raising the issue of death, GP Dr Fiona O’Brien from Greencroft North Surgery in Annan said: “We need to share our feelings and concerns while we’re well.
“We need to be more in control of what our death experience will be-both for ourselves and our loved ones. This is equally as important as having a funeral plan or will.”
The two information sessions take place in Annan Old Parish Church Hall from 9.30 am to 12 noon on June 6 and 6.30 pm to 9 pm on June 13.
Meanwhile, until June 30 many local solicitors are working with Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership to offer a ten per cent discount on the fees for drawing up Powers of Attorney.
For more information in relation to this, visit the council website www.dumgal.gov.uk.
To learn more about the ‘Afore YeGo’ events, contact the Health Improvement Team on 01461 207728.