aging client conversation starters - Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)
AGING CLIENT CONVERSATION STARTERS Bringing up the topic of money and health care with clients can be one of the most difficult conversations you can have with them. Today many advisors are beginning the estate planning
Depending on the level of severity of a client’s health, you
discussion earlier on. It can be one of the most difficult
may need to engage more people. For example, if the client’s
conversations; however, even more difficult is the topic
health is in moderate decline, ensure you talk to them about
around money and health care, especially if you are
their financial and caregiving goals. Maybe have them bring a
concerned your client is facing a form of Alzheimer’s.
friend or family member they trust and who may have the
Knowing when to start the conversation and what to ask can
legal authority to act on their behalf. If you suspect they are
be difficult, but the earlier the conversation starts, the better
in a severe decline, then you want to make sure you are
prepared you as their advisor will be, and the better prepared
dealing directly with the person looking after their affairs.
they will be for this stage of their life.
Below is a list of questions you can ask to start the conversations with your clients and their loved ones.
Home Have you begun any conversation about living arrangements down the road?
If you are looking at moving to an assisted care facility, have you or your family discussed the options available?
If you stay at home, do you have someone that can help you? Perhaps a nanny?
Do you have an emergency kit ready, containing a record of important contact phone numbers, medications taken, allergies, etc.?
If you stay at home, do you have friends, stores and services nearby you can easily access? Can you make arrangements for someone to write your cheques, pay your bills, delivery groceries or cooked meals, clean your home, do your laundry, shovel snow, maintain the garden and provide transportation in case you need it? Have you considered the layout and safety of your home, possibly renovating to live on one level, and installing an alarm for emergency purposes? If you plan to stay at home, have you considered downsizing to a more manageable home?
If you are thinking about moving to an assisted care facility, have you considered some of the things you would want to ensure they have?
AGING CLIENT CONVERSATION STARTERS
Finances Do you have a lawyer that can help you, and an up-to-date Will? Do you know if you have any insurance policies or other extended coverage that may help cover the financial costs of assisted care? Or do you have any other alternative ways to pay your housing expenses?
Family If you were to have a fall or develop a chronic health issue, would you have a family member than can help you? If so, how much care can they provide? Does your family know who all of your doctors are, how to contact them, and any prescriptions you are taking?
Do you have any disability insurance that can help you finance your needs?
If you do not have family members that can help, have you considered options around how to handle the need for assistance with daily life?
Have you considered selling your home to reduce your financial burden? If yes, where are you considering going?
Have you discussed your situation with any family members?
Do you have a record of all of your sources of income?
If you have a spouse, how will this impact them from a financial and home point of view? Will they want to stay in the home, or be able to afford it?
Have you checked to find out if you qualify for any additional government funded services? Have you informed anyone of all of your bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, liabilities, etc.? Do you have other assets, including property or valuables, that you should identify now, and do you know how much they are worth and if you have a plan for them?
Have you discussed with your family any possible home care help if you decide to stay at home? Have you arranged for a family member or someone else to consider having Power of Attorney over your health and/or finances?
Please note, the information is provided as a general source of information only as a guideline, it is not meant to be comprehensive, and does not provide advisors or individuals with any opinion regarding the implementation of this tool. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of this publication, however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. AGF Management Limited takes no responsibility for any reliance on the information contained herein. ® Sound Choices logo is a registered trademark of AGF Management Limited and used under licence. ® The AGF logo, ‘What are you doing after work?’ and all associated trademarks are registered trademarks of AGF Management Limited and used under licence.
SOL189 03-15-E
Do you have a secondary family member or caregiver you would want me to be in touch with?
Depending on the level of severity of a client’s health, you
discussion earlier on. It can be one of the most difficult
may need to engage more people. For example, if the client’s
conversations; however, even more difficult is the topic
health is in moderate decline, ensure you talk to them about
around money and health care, especially if you are
their financial and caregiving goals. Maybe have them bring a
concerned your client is facing a form of Alzheimer’s.
friend or family member they trust and who may have the
Knowing when to start the conversation and what to ask can
legal authority to act on their behalf. If you suspect they are
be difficult, but the earlier the conversation starts, the better
in a severe decline, then you want to make sure you are
prepared you as their advisor will be, and the better prepared
dealing directly with the person looking after their affairs.
they will be for this stage of their life.
Below is a list of questions you can ask to start the conversations with your clients and their loved ones.
Home Have you begun any conversation about living arrangements down the road?
If you are looking at moving to an assisted care facility, have you or your family discussed the options available?
If you stay at home, do you have someone that can help you? Perhaps a nanny?
Do you have an emergency kit ready, containing a record of important contact phone numbers, medications taken, allergies, etc.?
If you stay at home, do you have friends, stores and services nearby you can easily access? Can you make arrangements for someone to write your cheques, pay your bills, delivery groceries or cooked meals, clean your home, do your laundry, shovel snow, maintain the garden and provide transportation in case you need it? Have you considered the layout and safety of your home, possibly renovating to live on one level, and installing an alarm for emergency purposes? If you plan to stay at home, have you considered downsizing to a more manageable home?
If you are thinking about moving to an assisted care facility, have you considered some of the things you would want to ensure they have?
AGING CLIENT CONVERSATION STARTERS
Finances Do you have a lawyer that can help you, and an up-to-date Will? Do you know if you have any insurance policies or other extended coverage that may help cover the financial costs of assisted care? Or do you have any other alternative ways to pay your housing expenses?
Family If you were to have a fall or develop a chronic health issue, would you have a family member than can help you? If so, how much care can they provide? Does your family know who all of your doctors are, how to contact them, and any prescriptions you are taking?
Do you have any disability insurance that can help you finance your needs?
If you do not have family members that can help, have you considered options around how to handle the need for assistance with daily life?
Have you considered selling your home to reduce your financial burden? If yes, where are you considering going?
Have you discussed your situation with any family members?
Do you have a record of all of your sources of income?
If you have a spouse, how will this impact them from a financial and home point of view? Will they want to stay in the home, or be able to afford it?
Have you checked to find out if you qualify for any additional government funded services? Have you informed anyone of all of your bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, liabilities, etc.? Do you have other assets, including property or valuables, that you should identify now, and do you know how much they are worth and if you have a plan for them?
Have you discussed with your family any possible home care help if you decide to stay at home? Have you arranged for a family member or someone else to consider having Power of Attorney over your health and/or finances?
Please note, the information is provided as a general source of information only as a guideline, it is not meant to be comprehensive, and does not provide advisors or individuals with any opinion regarding the implementation of this tool. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of this publication, however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. AGF Management Limited takes no responsibility for any reliance on the information contained herein. ® Sound Choices logo is a registered trademark of AGF Management Limited and used under licence. ® The AGF logo, ‘What are you doing after work?’ and all associated trademarks are registered trademarks of AGF Management Limited and used under licence.
SOL189 03-15-E
Do you have a secondary family member or caregiver you would want me to be in touch with?
