This post was written by Erica Downing, MSW, LBSW, Advance Care Planning specialist.
When you think of Advance Care Planning (ACP), what comes to mind? Most people typically think of estate planning, funeral planning or how their possessions are going to be divided up. While these things are valuable, they all come into effect after someone has passed. ACP, on the other hand, is about planning for the events leading up to death, including your wishes for future medical treatment.
Contemplating something as important as your care wishes can be overwhelming, so here are three steps you can take to begin discussing and preparing for these crucial decisions.
Step No. 1 – Ask the right questions
You may be wondering how to start thinking about ACP. A good way to begin is by asking yourself some questions about medical care, comfort care and spirituality.
- What does a “good day” look like for me?
- What things will help me live well at this point in my life?
- What roles do culture and spirituality play into how I live my life?
- In terms of future medical care, under what circumstances would I want the goal of medical treatment to switch from attempting to prolong life to focusing on comfort?
- How would I define comfort care?
- How would I want medications to be used to provide comfort?
- What type of spiritual care would I want?
- How does cost influence my decision about the medical care I want?
Step No. 2 – Get some clarity
You may be able to answer the above questions easily, or you may need some more information to make the right decisions for you. To help, write down any questions you may have or topics you want to learn more about. This could include questions for your healthcare provider about what different treatment options may look like for you based on your current health condition. Or questions about spiritual beliefs regarding end-of-life. By getting some clarity into these topics, you’ll be better equipped to make the choice that fits within your beliefs and comfort level.
Step No. 3 – Make it official
After you have had time to do some research and reflect on the answers to the questions above, the next step is to complete your advance directives, which are legal documents that include the instructions for your future medical care and treatment. You will want to share your wishes with those most important to you and designate a legal healthcare representative.
Note: When completing an advance directive, know that this document can be changed at any time if you are able to make your own medical decisions. ACP is not a one and done conversation. As you age, your wishes and goals for medical care may change, and it is essential to keep your documents up-to-date to reflect these changes. Your care team will always turn to you to make decisions regarding what kind of medical care you want if you are able to make your own decisions. Advance directives only go into effect when you have lost the ability to do so.
Common terms associated with ACP
Living Will: A “living will” is a written document that puts into words your wishes should you become terminally ill and unable to communicate. This document is used to specify the care or treatment you want or do not want, including whether or not your physician and family members should prolong treatment. This is different from an estate will which is completed with a lawyer as part of estate planning.
Power of Attorney for Healthcare: Historically, this legal term refers to the person you choose to represent you or act on your behalf in matters about your healthcare. This person is listed as your attorney-in-fact in a power of attorney (POA) document. A financial power of attorney does not, by itself, grant healthcare decision-making authority. Under Indiana law, healthcare decision-making authority granted in a POA document executed after December 31, 2022, will be void. Any document executed prior to December 31, 2022, that names a healthcare attorney-in-fact will remain valid.
Healthcare Representative: A healthcare representative is an individual appointed to consent to healthcare of another; your healthcare representative has the right to receive healthcare information about you and to make decisions for you only when you cannot make them for yourself.
Healthcare Agent: A healthcare agent is a generic term used to refer to your legally appointed surrogate healthcare decision maker. Both a healthcare representative and a POA for healthcare are considered healthcare agents.
Next of Kin: Your next of kin are your closest living relatives. In Indiana, in this level of priority, your spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, grandparent or adult grandchild are legally allowed to make your healthcare decisions if you cannot speak for yourself and do not have a court-appointed guardian or healthcare agent. The nearest other adult relative in the next degree of kinship can provide healthcare consent if the other listed family members are unable. These individuals are referred to as healthcare decision-making proxies.
At Parkview Health, we believe advance care planning is an important part of providing you with excellent care. We encourage you to learn more about ACP and take the steps to begin your personal journey by contacting our department. We can be reached by phone at 260-266-1481 or by email at [email protected].
Your wishes and goals are unique to you. We are here to help guide you through this crucial conversation. At the end of a meeting with one of our certified advance care planning facilitators, you will have a personalized advance care plan that reflects your wishes and what matters most to you.
