Advance Care Planning - Patients & Families
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Advance Care Planning assists you in preparing for a sudden unexpected illness, from which you expect to recover, as well as the dying process and ultimately death. Advance care planning is a gift to you and your family. It allows you to maintain control over how you are treated and to ensure that you experience the type of care and the type of death that you desire.
The advance care planning process involves the following:
- Becoming educated about the topic
- Exploring, clarifying, and documenting your values, beliefs and goals
- Choosing a Spokesperson (the “Agent” identified in the “Health Care Proxy”) and an Alternate (the “Alternate Agent” identified in the “Health Care Proxy”) to work with doctors to make decisions on your behalf in case you are unable to speak for yourself
- Reviewing your wishes and desires about death and dying with your Spokesperson (“Agent”), Alternate, and the people you trust and/or those whose decisions will impact the manner in which you die, e.g., family, spiritual advisor, doctors, lawyers
- Completing the forms that identify your Spokesperson (“Agent”) and Alternate and specify your desires and wishes
- Reviewing and updating these forms periodically or after major life-altering events
- Conducting ongoing discussions and updates about your wishes and desires about death with your Spokesperson (“Agent”), Alternate, those you trust and/or those who may care for you when you are approaching death
Advance care planning begins with conversations among families and other trusted individuals, such as friends, doctors, etc. The process builds trust and establishes relationships among family, close friends, health care professionals and others who will care for you or be with you as you approach death. Advance care planning permits peace of mind for you and your family by reducing uncertainty and helping to avoid confusion and conflict over your care.
Remember: Advance Directives apply only when you are unable to make health care decisions and speak for yourself.
Advance Care Planning Booklets can be used to educate yourself about advance care planning, clarify your values, beliefs and goals, share your wishes with your family, and choose a spokesperson. The Advance Care Planning Booklets include a Health Care Proxy form and a Living Will for you to complete.
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