Care Compass Project: Program to focus on estate and advance care directives planning

        The Care Compass project serves as a quarterly network gathering for caregivers and those who may be caregivers in the future.
        Care Compass offers a place to gather information and obtain resources to make the journey of caregiving less stressful. The upcoming session, focusing on estate planning and how to complete advance care directives, will be held in-person and virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 South Grove St., Bowling Green.
        The Care Compass Project is free and open to all caregivers and community members, but requires pre-registration by calling 1-800-367-4935 or 419-353-5661 or by emailing programs@wccoa.net. Zoom login information will be given upon registration if requested.
        Lunch, sponsored by Brookdale of Bowling Green, will be available to the first 20 Wood County residents who register for the session and who will be attending in-person.
        The agenda includes:
        • 11 a.m. – “The Basics of Estate Planning,” presented by Phillip Wylkan, elder care lawyer. An estate plan will ensure that older adults have the peace of mind that their assets and belongings will be distributed the way they’d like. Wylkan will explain what an estate is, what an estate plan is, and share a straightforward guide that explains how to get started with planning.
        • 11:45 a.m. – “How to Complete an Advance Care Directive.” presented by Elizabeth Geer Fry, Esq. The purpose of any advance directive is to enable you to speak for yourself and to let other people know what choices you have made and what is important to you in time of medical care. This session will cover the preparation of an advance care directive and will discuss the legal variances state to state. Attendees will leave with a notarized document for the state of Ohio if they choose to attend in-person. Please bring a photo ID to the session.
        The CARE Compass Project is sponsored and brought to the community by Brookdale of Bowling Green, Wood County Committee on Aging, Golden Care Partners, Ohio Living, Optimal Aging Institute at BGSU and Wood County Hospital.
        For information on WCCOA programs and services, call 419-353-5661 or 800-367-4935 or visit wccoa.net.