Program Summary

Planning AHEAD (Advance directives, Handling financial changes, Estate planning, and Arriving at Decisions for the end of this life) is a research-based, holistic end-of-life planning program intended for all ages. Developed by UW–Madison Division of Extension faculty and staff, this 7-session program, will help participants understand how to prepare for the end of life for themselves or a loved one, and why it’s important to have a plan in place. Planning AHEAD sessions include, Getting Started, Handling Financial Changes, Advance Medical and Legal Directives, Estate Planning, Choices in End-of-Life Care, Final Wishes, and Understanding Grief.

*This program and workbook include information specific to Wisconsin law. If you are not a resident of Wisconsin, please refer to your state’s laws around Advanced Medical and Legal Directives, and Estate Planning.

Program Benefits

As a result of this program, participants will:

  • Understand the financial, medical, legal and personal components of end-of-life planning and explore tools to gather and organize documents, and transfer accounts to loved ones
  • Demonstrate knowledge/understanding of the structure and process for implementing advance medical and legal directives. 
  • Understand the different documents available for estate planning 
  • Have increased confidence in starting conversations about end-of-life issues with loved ones
  • Explore self-reflection techniques that uncover end-of-life goals that lead to decision-making around end-of-life care and final wishes.
  • Have a better understanding of resources to support others and themselves in the grief process 

Target Audience

Anyone that is interested in the end-of-life planning to make things easier for family members, those that have lost a loved one, are in the process of losing a loved one and are dealing with the transition.

Program Length

A series of 7-sessions, 1-1.5 hours each

Program Cost

For facilitators: Facilitator training is required, and cost is yet to be determined. Facilitator training will be available starting in Spring of 2026.

For participants: A facilitator might want to charge participants, or ask for a suggested donation, to cover the cost of printing (and mailing for virtual programs). This will depend on your costs, but we suggest between $20-$30.

Equipment Needed

The program uses PPT presentations for delivery and may be facilitated in-person or on zoom. A fee fillable digital version of the participant workbook is available for free

Optional: Facilitators that want to provide the program workbook to participants will need access to printing and binding, or a budget for professional printing. The workbook is also available as a free download for participants in a fillable digital format (includes instructions on safe keeping of sensitive digital documents).


The facilitator training and guide will prepare facilitators with how to incorporate local and state laws into the program where necessary.

Want to Know More?

If you’re interested in learning more, check out this short video or visit our program website: https://aging.extension.wisc.edu/programs/planning-ahead/.  If you’re interested in becoming a trained facilitator, please contact Sara Richie at sara.richie@wisc.edu.

Contact

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Sara Richie, Life Span Program Manager at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension, sara.richie@wisc.edu.