Advanced care planning is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of healthcare. It is a process through which individuals think ahead and make choices about the care they would want if they were unable to make decisions for themselves. Planning for these situations in advance allows your preferences and values to be respected and ensures that your loved ones and healthcare providers can confidently make decisions on your behalf. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of advanced care planning, how to create a plan, and key documents to include.

The Importance of Advanced Care Planning

Despite the uncertainty of the future, having a plan in place for potential medical situations can give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Advanced care planning helps to:

a. Ensure that your wishes are respected.

b. Avoid conflict among family members or medical providers during a difficult time.

c. Prevent unnecessary and unwanted medical treatments.

d. Provide guidance for your loved ones when making decisions about your care.

Steps to Create an Advanced Care Plan

Creating an advanced care plan involves several key steps:

a. Reflect on your values and preferences: Think about what you value most in life, and how these values may influence the type of medical care you'd want.

b. Discuss your thoughts with loved ones: Open a dialogue with your close family members, friends, or caregivers. Share your preferences, and listen to their concerns and opinions.

c. Consult with healthcare professionals: Speak with your doctor, nurse, or other medical providers about your preferences for care in various medical situations. They can help you understand different treatment options and the potential consequences.

d. Document your decisions: Clearly record your preferences in writing to ensure they are respected in the future.

Key Documents in Advanced Care Planning

There are several legal documents that can be included in your advanced care plan. These documents help solidify your wishes and guide your loved ones in making decisions.

a. Living Will: A living will outlines the types of medical treatments you would want or not want in specific situations, such as life support, resuscitation, or organ donation.

b. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document designates a healthcare proxy, someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so.

c. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR is a medical order that instructs healthcare providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart or breathing stops.

d. POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): A POLST is a medical order completed by your doctor that specifies the types of treatments you would like to receive, such as CPR, intubation, or artificial nutrition.

Conclusion

Advanced care planning empowers you to take control of your future healthcare, ensuring your values and preferences are respected. Open discussions with your loved ones and healthcare providers, and document your decisions in writing. In doing so, you can alleviate some of the emotional burden on your family and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your care will align with your wishes.

Resources

The Conversation Project® is a public engagement initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Their goal is both simple and transformative: to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected.

Check them out here at theconversationproject.org