The Town of Petrolia is partnering with the Sarnia Community Foundation (SCF) in an effort to help residents and their families prepare for the ending of their lives.
The Planning Ahead: Later Life Matters workshop will highlight the supports and services available to those nearing death.
SCF Executive Director Mike Barron said a similar event, held in Alvinston in September, was a big success.
"It's really an education piece," said Barron. "It can be really for any age, but again, let's say my parents, they set up an insurance policy. Do they have all of the things that they need for the later life? Do they have a will? Are they aware of maybe programs that go on in the community? We've brought together a couple of different organizations to really talk about the kind of services that they offer."
Barron said some residents are living alone, and this connection well help them get out and connected with the right agencies.
"Maybe a spouse has passed and a person doesn't have a lot of community. And so this would be a great event to be able to come out and maybe ask some questions or even just make connection with those in the community," he said. "The feedback we had of what we did in Alvinston was so good. We had about 35 people came and they had indicated that they had no idea what they were coming to and they want to really do the event again and bring some friends. You may have lived your whole life and you may have had an insurance policy that you established in the 80s. Well, things have changed. Make sure that you have those difficult kind of conversations or the uncomfortable ones that make sure that you have your documents and your estate planned out."
Those in attendance will hear presentations from Home Instead, IG Wealth Management, Needham-Jay Funeral Home Inc., County of Lambton – Library and Community Services (Long Term Care), Great Lakes Law, Service Canada and the Municipality of Petrolia.
The free event is taking place on Wednesday, November 4 from 10 a.m. until noon at Victoria Hall.
Those planning to attend can contact Petrolia's Marketing and Special Events Associate Thera Wagner at (519) 882-2350 or [email protected].
