National Healthcare Directives Day (NHDD) aims to raise public awareness about the importance of planning for healthcare decisions. These decisions extend beyond end-of-life care and involve comprehensive planning for various healthcare scenarios. The NHDD initiative is supported by national, state, and community organizations to encourage people to discuss, plan, and document their healthcare wishes. When advance directives are completed and conversations about advance planning occur, there is more precise guidance for patients, families, and medical providers during difficult times. It is important to offer clarity when completing medical advance planning. We may be talking about wishes that pertain to death, something that may be incredibly difficult to think about or talk about. Unfortunately, these crucial conversations often don't happen, leaving families and medical professionals struggling to interpret unspoken wishes.
Resources for Advance Care Planning
LWC Creating a Care Plan Workshop
This program guides caregiving conversations and documentation to honor the wishes of those we care for. In addition to medical, this workshop covers important legal and financial considerations that are relevant to everyone.
Arizona End of Life Care Partnership
Many community agencies help with conversations and document completion. In Tucson and Southern Arizona, United Way's End of Life Care Partnership provides support through various organizations and community partners to help people document and communicate their wishes regarding serious illness and end-of-life care.
The Conversation Project (Institute for Healthcare Improvement)
Discussing medical advance directives and our wishes at the end of life can be challenging. However, when we have these conversations, there is clarity, understanding, and more significant support when medical decisions must be made. While 92% of Americans believe these conversations are essential, only 32% have discussed their end-of-life care wishes (The Conversation Project National Survey, 2018). This project offers resources to help people express their care preferences, ensuring these wishes will be honored.
Important Healthcare Directive Documents
This document may have terms like Durable Medical Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy, allowing you to designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself. Important considerations include:
- Confirming your chosen representative is willing to serve in this capacity
- Ensuring they understand and are willing to honor your wishes
- Verifying they can advocate effectively for you
- Understanding your state's specific requirements
Not to be confused with a Last Will and Testament, a Living Will specifies your wishes for care and treatment if you cannot communicate them. Having both a Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will ensures someone can act on your behalf and work with your medical team to honor your wishes, even after death.
This comprehensive document goes beyond standard advance directives by addressing medical decisions (who makes decisions and what treatments you want) and personal, spiritual, and legal wishes. The Five Wishes framework addresses additional considerations like comfort preferences, how you wish to be treated, and what you want loved ones to know.
For more information about advance directives, or any aspect of caregiving, you can schedule a one-on-one caregiving consultation with Eileen.