April 16th is an important date. It's National Healthcare Decisions Day! Rather than continue our usual practice of not discussing our end of life wishes with family, why not celebrate your decisions together.
A comfortable way of approaching the conversation can begin with a simple, straightforward document called Five Wishes.
Wishes 1 and 2 are both legal documents. Once signed, they meet the legal requirements of an advance directive.
Wishes 3, 4, and 5 are unique to Five Wishes, in that they address matters of comfort care, spirituality, forgiveness, and final wishes.
Wish 1: The Person I Want to Make Care Decisions for Me When I Can't
This section is an assignment of a health care agent (also called proxy, surrogate, representative, or health care power of attorney). This person makes medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Wish 2: The Kind of Medical Treatment I Want or Don't Want
This section is a living will—a definition of what life support treatment means to you, and when you would and would not want it.
Wish 3: How Comfortable I Want to Be
This section addresses matters of comfort care - what type of pain management you would like, personal grooming and bathing instructions, and whether you would like to know about options for hospice care, among others.
Wish 4: How I Want People to Treat Me
This section speaks to personal matters, such as whether you would like to be at home and whether you would like someone to pray at your bedside.
Wish 5: What I Want My Loved Ones to Know
This section deals with matters of forgiveness, how you wish to be remembered, and final wishes regarding funeral or memorial plans.
If you'd like a free copy of Five Wishes, please stop by our office. Why not start the conversation today.
