A medical crisis can happen at any age. And if it does happen, it can leave you unable to communicate your healthcare wishes. Advance Care Planning (ACP) involves preparing and discussing your desires for future healthcare needs in the event of a medical crisis in which you are unable to advocate on behalf of yourself.
Documenting and recording your desires in a living will, or advance directive, and sharing that information with your loved ones will give them a clear path forward that aligns with your healthcare goals, values and wishes. And when your healthcare team also knows your desires, it can lessen the stress your loved ones may feel about making decisions for you.
Who Benefits from Advance Care Planning, and Why Is it Important?
“If you’re healthy and young, you might not consider the importance of planning for your future healthcare needs,” says Dolores Coffman, LSW, social service outreach with the care management team at St. Elizabeth Physicians. Planning isn’t just for older adults, says Dolores. “And it’s not just for those with a terminal illness or those with a chronic health condition.”
Anyone can experience a medical crisis that leaves them unable to communicate. Whether young, old, healthy or sick, advance care planning can make their wishes known to their loved ones and healthcare team, before a need arises.
Why You Should Talk About Advance Care Planning with Your Family and Primary Care Provider?
Annual wellness visits are an excellent opportunity to explore your future healthcare wishes with your provider. Your provider can help answer your questions about specific treatments and care options. They can discuss the risks, benefits and alternative treatment options for life-threatening situations. Your provider can also identify and clarify other issues you may want to consider.
It’s also important to talk with your family about your healthcare wishes. Starting the conversation can be hard to do. “It’s important to pick the right time to talk with family about Advanced Care Planning,” says Dolores. “It could even be after a friend or family member’s hospital stay or illness.” Dolores suggests asking for permission before addressing the topic, showing compassion and patience and letting them talk about their advanced care planning wishes. “Ask questions specifically about their wishes at the end of their life. Take your time and let them set the pace.” Once they’ve shared with you, you can then encourage them to write there wishes down in a living will document. This is a process that will need to be completed over time, says Dolores.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Planning is a valuable process for individuals of all ages and health conditions. It’s not about “giving up” on life but about making sure you have a say in your medical decisions and receive the care you desire. Even if you believe your loved ones know your wishes, you still need to account for them in a specific Advance Directive document such as a living will.
Some people think Advance Care Planning is a one-time event. But it’s an ongoing conversation with your family and your healthcare provider. It can evolve with changing circumstances and preferences. You can change your ACP even if the document is complete. The living will require the signature of two adults who have witnessed your signature and are not blood relatives, or you can have your signature notarized. Your healthcare team can discuss what’s required and how to document your wishes.
Some may believe Advance Care Planning is mainly about creating a living will. But it can also include appointing a healthcare proxy. This proxy is a trusted spokesperson for your medical choices. If you can’t speak for yourself due to illness or injury, they step in to ensure everyone follows your healthcare wishes. You and your healthcare proxy should discuss your healthcare values and goals, to avoid confusion in the future.
What Are the Benefits of Advance Care Planning?
“Advance Care Planning is like a gift to yourself and your loved ones,” says Dolores. “It allows you to take control of your healthcare and improve the end-of-life quality you receive.” Dolores encourages people to think of Advance Care Planning as a thoughtful gift to give to family. “Planning decreases the stress, burden and grief experienced by those who may need to make medical decisions for you.”
“I’ve had Advance Care Planning conversations with patients many times. Sometimes a patient will say that their family knows their wishes, so why put it in writing,” explains Dolores. “But when I explain the importance of completing a living will and encouraging them to share it, not only with their family, but also with their healthcare team, they often hadn’t considered that.” A living will is a great way to ensure everyone knows your wishes.
What are the Steps Needed to Initiate Advance Care Planning?
Advance Care Planning involves several important steps. Dolores offers these suggestions to help with the process:
- Think about your health goals, values and wishes and what may happen if you cannot speak for yourself regarding your healthcare decisions.
- Start the conversation with your primary care provider, someone on your healthcare team, and your family members. Discuss, in detail, how you want to live in the event of a major life-threatening crisis.
- Document your wishes in a living will. Be specific about your healthcare preferences. This legal document outlines the treatments you want to receive or avoid in different medical situations.
- Identify and appoint a healthcare proxy – the person you want to ensure your wishes are carried out.
- Share your plan with your loved ones, your provider and anyone else who would be involved in your care.
- Review the documents regularly to update them, if needed.
St. Elizabeth Physicians Care Management is specially trained in Advance Care Planning. They can help you and your family develop a plan that meets your wishes and reflects your values. Call the Care Management team at (859) 655-8813 or talk with your primary care provider about how you can get started.
