Support Families Before the Funeral during pre-arrangement, spend-down consults.
A Practical Resource for Families Transitioning Loved Ones into Long-Term Care.
Funeral homes are often the first place families turn to when planning ahead or navigating Medicaid spend-down decisions. The Care Guide for Your Loved One provides a compassionate and practical tool you can offer families who may soon transition a loved one into a nursing home, memory care, or rehabilitation facility. By providing this guide as a complimentary resource, you demonstrate that care for families extends far beyond funeral arrangements.
Why This Resource
Families navigating end-of-life planning are often also managing difficult decisions about-long term care placement and Medicaid eligibility. Approximately 70% of adults over age65 will require some form of long-term care during their lifetime, most families feel unprepared for this reality. Your support this guide can make a significant difference during a challenging time.
What the Care Guide Provides
This workbook-style guide helps families document the personal history, preferences, and care needs of their loved one before entering a care facility.
The guide includes sections for:
• Personal biography and life story
• Daily routines and personal preferences
• Medical history and medications
• Behavioral considerations and triggers
• Communication cues and comfort strategies
• Family contacts and care coordination
• Practical checklists for facility transitions
By capturing this information, families help ensure their loved one is treated as a person with a story—not just a patient.
The guide was developed after the author created a similar document for her own mother entering memory care.
Staff repeatedly told her: "We wish every resident arrived with something like this."
How Funeral Homes Use This Resource
Forward-thinking funeral homes are using the Care Guide as a family support tool during planning conversations.
Typical moments to introduce the guide include:
During Pre-Planning Conversations
When families are planning funeral arrangements and discussing long-term financial planning.
Medicaid Spend-Down Discussions
When families are using funeral planning as part of Medicaid eligibility preparation.
Caregiver Conversations
When families share that they are struggling with caregiving decisions.
Long-Term Care Transitions
When a family indicates they are preparing to move a loved one into assisted living or a nursing facility.
How It Enhances Your Service
Providing this guide positions your funeral home as:
A Trusted Advisor
You become a resource for navigating difficult family transitions.
A Community Leader
Offering tools that support families before and after end-of-life planning.
A Compassionate Partner
Demonstrating that your care extends beyond the funeral itself.
A Differentiated Provider
Few funeral homes provide tangible caregiving resources.
Suggested Conversation Starter
Many funeral directors introduce the guide with a simple question:
“Many families we work with are also navigating decisions about long-term care.
If your loved one ever transitions into a nursing home, we have a resource that helps families prepare their care team to understand who your loved one truly is.”
Partnership Opportunities
Funeral homes may partner with Heart Strong Wellness in several ways:
• Provide the Care Guide as a complimentary resource for families
• Offer the guide in pre-planning packets
• Collaborate on community caregiver support events
About the Author
Mary Ann “MA” Miller is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach and founder of Heart Strong Wellness. Her work focuses on supporting families navigating dementia and long-term care transitions.
This guide was inspired by her experience transitioning her own mother into memory care and witnessing the profound impact personalized information can have on the quality of care residents receive.
Call to Action
Interested in offering this resource to families you serve?
Request a complimentary partner sample or schedule a short conversation.
Contact:
Mary Ann Miller
Heart Strong Wellness
coachmamill@gmail.com