Advanced Care Planning
Advanced care planning is not just about preparing for the unexpected; it’s about taking control of your future and ensuring your values and preferences are honored. By discussing and documenting your wishes for medical treatment and end-of-life care, you empower yourself and your loved ones to make informed decisions. This proactive approach can prevent unnecessary stress and confusion during critical moments, allowing your family to focus on spending quality time together. Whether it’s designating a healthcare proxy, creating a living will or simply having open conversations about your desires, advanced care planning is a practical and compassionate step toward a more secure and respectful future.
What is advanced care planning?
Advanced care planning is a compassionate and thoughtful process that allows you to express your wishes for medical care in case you become seriously ill or unable to communicate. It extends beyond a mere legal document; it is an ongoing, heartfelt conversation with your loved ones and healthcare providers about your values, beliefs and preferences. This dialogue fosters understanding and trust, ensuring that your care aligns with what truly matters to you. By sharing your wishes, you not only protect your dignity but also ease the emotional burden on your family during difficult times, allowing them to make decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
An advanced care plan can include any of the following:
- Selecting a healthcare agent
- An advance directive such as a living will
- A durable power of attorney for health care
- A Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
What happens if I do not have any plans in place?
Although you may never encounter a situation where you’re unable to express your wishes, having a plan in place can provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Â If you don’t have a plan in place and you become unable to make decisions for yourself the state laws where you live will decide who can make medical decisions for you. Typically, this will be your spouse, your parents if they’re available or your adult children. If you’re unmarried and haven’t designated your partner as your health care agent they might be excluded from the decision-making process. In the absence of family, some states allow a close friend who knows your values to step in or a physician may be assigned to represent your best interests.Â
Why should I complete advanced care planning?
Completing advance care planning is essential because it allows you to remain in control of your medical care, even in situations where you can no longer communicate your wishes. Just as we buy home insurance to prepare for the unexpected needs of home ownership, advance care planning helps ensure that your medical treatment aligns with your values and preferences.Â
In addition it spares your loved ones from the burden and stress of making difficult decisions on your behalf during a crisis, allowing them to feel confident that your wishes are being respected. Additionally, it increases the likelihood that you will receive the care you want, in the setting you prefer and according to your personal goals. By discussing and documenting your preferences ahead of time, you give yourself the opportunity to control your care and protect your loved ones from having to make unbearable decisions during difficult times.
How do I get started?
There are many guides out there to help guide these conversations with your loved ones and healthcare team. Â The National Institute on Aging has an excellent conversation guide and the American Cancer Society has partnered with Giving Docs to give patients with cancer access to advance care and estate planning documents for free here.
When it comes to the forms involved the PREPARE for Your Care program can help you develop an advance directive specifically tailored for your state. Â Their website also includes step-by-step video stories and instructions.Â
If you have additional questions about advance care planning or advance directive forms, you can also ask your healthcare team at SCRI Oncology Partners.
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Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.