Today Is the Perfect Day to Review Your Advance Care Plans!
By Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, CSA®, Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC & Navigating Solo Network
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), April 16 each year, educates and empowers the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.
It is critical that adults 18 years of age and older (married/partnered, single, someone who has adult children or adult relatives to rely on and those who do not) have these documents in place!
People often think of these documents as needing to be in place as part of one’s estate plan, but the reality is, they are critical to have in place TODAY and every day going forward.
Having an advance care plan means that if you experience an unexpected event:
accident: auto, biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, hiking, playing a sport
act of nature: hurricane, earthquake, flood, or fire
medical crisis
you have designated IN WRITING one or more individuals to serve as a healthcare proxy. Anyone 18 years of age and older needs to have this document in place.
Not only must you choose a healthcare agent/proxy/medical power of attorney, but you must also make sure you complete a personal directive/living will. This document gives you the opportunity to indicate what life saving measures and treatment you want and don’t want.
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A note: If you are having a hard time finding someone to assign as your healthcare proxy, do not let that stop you from planning. Work on thinking about and filling out the components of a personal directive/living will, and other planning documents. Then come back to exploring who you can assign as a proxy.
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But designating a healthcare agent (preferably agents) isn't enough! You MUST also have given thought to the kind of care you want and do not want. You NEED to write it down and thoroughly review it with anyone involved in your care (healthcare team, friends, family members) to confirm they are comfortable carrying out your decisions and not imposing their own feelings or beliefs. Consider assigning someone as a healthcare proxy and someone else as an alternate!. PLEASE do not skip this step.
Remember, this is a “dynamic” process, you need to review and make changes as needed!
Download Our Advance Care Planning in 4D graphic here!
To put it simply, consider it as four steps: DECIDE, DOCUMENT, DESIGNATE, DISCUSS!
Useful Resources to Explore:
These articles about choosing your proxy point out useful things to consider: Everplans, The Conversation Project, Honoring Choices Massachusetts (pdf).
When asked for useful and comprehensive advance care planning resources (health agent/proxy, living will, detailed wishes) by clients and during community education talks, I often suggest Honoring Choices Massachusetts (docs are for everyone not just Massachusetts), The Conversation Project, and Five Wishes ($5).
Have you been chosen as someone’s proxy? Here are useful resources for being an effective proxy: The Conversation Project, Everplans.
I know this topic can be anxiety inducing, stressful, and difficult to think and talk about. When you are ready to complete get started or revise what you have compiled, I’m available to help! Do you need someone to talk to about these documents? I can help that way too!
Did you know I offer Advance Care Planning Guidance Packages?
At any age, it is critical to have a plan (and a back up plan) for the kind of medical care and support you want today, tomorrow, and during a time of medical crisis. Having support in place as you navigate the health care system is extremely important and a crisis could leave you too ill to make your own health care decisions.
Planning for your health care is an important step toward making sure you get the medical care you would want (and noting what you don’t want), if you are unable to speak for yourself and your designated representatives are carrying out your plans on your behalf.
To assist, I offer:
In my work, I always remind people that having these documents in place and discussed with those you care about and care about you, is actually a gift. It is a gift because it means your intentions are spelled out. Once reviewed with those you care about and care about you, no one has to wonder if, at a time of emotional stress, they are making a decision that aligns with your values and wishes.
Links:
Conversation Project’s List of Advance Care Planning Resources
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) on Twitter and Facebook
Connect With Us: When the complexity of your healthcare situation is too challenging to navigate on your own, working with an independent board certified patient advocate can help cut through the “red tape,” reduce complications, and offer peace of mind at an emotional time. Contact Ailene to learn more about the value of working with a private patient advocate.