Mapping Tomorrow
April 16, 2024 | General, Health & Wellness, Resources
How do you want to live?
Advance care planning is like a roadmap for your future. It’s a way to make decisions about possible medical treatments in case you’re unable to advocate for yourself. And, contrary to what most people think, it’s not just for seniors or those toward the end of life – it’s for everyone 18 and over! Because advance care planning is really about how you want to live.
Advance care planning involves completing living will and/or naming a durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPOAH). A living will is a legal document that tells what medical treatments you do or do not want; a DPOAH, another legal document, lists who can make medical decisions for you if you cannot do it yourself. Both documents, independently or together, can be called an advance directive.
Research shows that only about 37% of adults in the U.S. have an advance directive even though 80% think it’s a useful document to have. Advance directives not only help providers make decisions that comply with your end-of-life wishes. They also help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression for survivors after a loved one’s death. In some cases, they may even help reduce medical expenses. Most significantly, an advance directive can ensure that an individual dies in their preferred place, such as their home. Currently, 70% of people prefer to die at home, but 70% actually die in a hospital facility.
There aren’t any shortcuts for advance care planning; it is a journey that takes most people a while to consider and then write down. Still, here are three markers so you know you’re moving in the right direction.
- Conversation. Have you told family and loved ones what you think about end-of-life care? Gather your loved ones – family, friends, caregivers – and talk openly about your values, beliefs, and preferences regarding healthcare. Remember: This isn’t a one-time chat; it’s an ongoing dialogue. Break the ice with humor if needed, but make sure everyone understands the importance of the discussion.
- Documentation. Have you completed the legal paperwork? Once you’ve had those heart-to-heart conversations, it’s time to put pen to paper. Create an advance directive, either a living will, DPAH, or (better yet!) both. Tip: you don’t need a lawyer to fill these documents. The advance directive is like a field guide for others to use to protect the healthcare outcomes you want.
- Circulation A plan is not good if no one knows about it. So, don’t tuck away your advance directive in a drawer. Make sure your designated healthcare proxy has a copy, along with other loved ones and your healthcare providers. Destinations can change, so make sure to change your advance directive when you detour because of marriage, divorce, birth, or any other life event. Don’t forget: When you update your plan, make sure everyone has the new copy.
Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. If you need a guide for your advance care planning journey, check The Conversation Project. They offer tools, instructions, and support to make the trek smooth.
Advance care planning is about taking control of your future healthcare with confidence and clarity. Like so many rides in life, it’s better when loved ones are along for the ride. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – and living your best future life can start with a single conversation.
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Sources: NIH; ACP Decisions; The Conversation Project
