ADVANCE DIRECTIVES AND ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

Who would speak for you if you couldn’t speak for yourself?

If you were to experience a health crisis where you were unable to speak for yourself, who would make healthcare decisions on your behalf? It’s important to choose someone you know and trust, and to discuss the treatment options you would prefer under various health situations. In an emergency, things move quickly and decisions need to be made. It can become challenging for your medical providers and emotional for your family. Knowing who you have selected to speak for you will help ensure that you get the care you want.

Advance Care Planning is a process of discussion and shared decision making among patients, families, loved ones and health care providers, resulting in a set of wishes or choices which express health care values. Documenting your goals and values in an Advance Directive will create a legal guide for your care.

Advance Care Planning Helps To:

• Improve understanding of health conditions and options
• Clarify your health care values and goals
• Communicate your wishes clearly
• Support family and loved ones should they need to speak for you

Advance Directive

An Advance Directive is a legal document that captures your wishes for future healthcare. It allows you to name a Health Care Agent to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make them for yourself. It also states they type of care you would want. It is a guide for your healthcare providers and a gift to your family. Allow me to help you explore what is most important to you and create that document. A conversation and document creation will take about an hour.

There are many Advance Directive document forms. The one that I prefer is Prepare for Your Care. You can view this at www.prepareforyourcare.com.