These are five RAQ's (Rarely Asked Questions) that are a tool to help you open up a discussion on end-of-life issues.

"What kind of care do you want for yourself if you're no longer able to make your wishes known, such as after a stroke or accident?"

Perhaps this question might also be phrased as what you might want for yourself. Or you might begin by reflecting upon the care that a friend or relative had received at the end of their life.

"What are your greatest fears when you consider what the journey might be like at the end of life?"

Or this question might start with yourself first, "My greatest fears when I consider what the journey may be like, are."

"What do you hope for when you consider what the journey may be like at the end of life?"

Thinking about and talking about how you imagine the last months of life to be helps you and your loved one to create a precious time together.

"If I have a life-threatening illness, such as cancer, and the treatments are only making me sick without curing the cancer, but I know that they give you hope, then how can I stop treatment without you losing hope?"

"These discussions about end of life decisions when we are at that point will probably be very hard. How do you think we can give each other the courage to have those compassionate conversations and not feel that we are just giving up?"