Advance Care Planning
Conversations about end of life can be very uncomfortable; you may feel awkward bringing up the topic with loved ones and your doctor. Nevertheless, it is vitally important that you make your wishes known through advance directives.
Advance directives cover a variety of documents including Living Wills, Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Do Not Resuscitate orders.
The most important step, however, is having conversations with loved ones so they understand your wishes and will honor them if you are unable to speak for yourself!
Depending on your age, general health, family situation, goals and values, your wishes regarding various types of medical treatment – or the use of life-sustaining measures – can vary dramatically at each stage of your life.
It is important that you:
- Make your wishes known in the event you cannot express them
- Assure your family understands your choices – before a crisis occurs
- Provide documentation that supports and explains your wishes to your doctor and loved ones
Each of these steps will empower your family to make treatment decisions that respect your feelings and values. Equally important, they will not be burdened by having to make those decisions, without your input, in a crisis situation.
Prevent confusion and undo stress – and assure your care is what YOU want it to be – by making sure your family has up-to-date information about your end-of-life wishes.
Complete Your Advance Directive
Hospice of Northwest Ohio offers free, guided conversations by trained facilitators in the completion of advance healthcare directives. Through a series of questions, these conversations will consider cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs in completing written advance directives including Living Wills and selecting a health care power of attorney.
Healthcare decision conversations can be done via phone or video chat with one of our certified facilitators: Sara Chambers, BSN, RN, CHPN or Marypat Page, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-C, by appointment only. Contact us today to set up an appointment at 419-931-5423 or acp@sinceracare.org.
If you would like to download the necessary forms to complete on your own, contact Leading Age Ohio.