National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16—Start the Conversation
Posted on March 28, 2022
We know that talking about health care decisions can be hard for some people. Having a conversation early, in a non-urgent setting about advance care planning may help the decision-making process be less difficult, and it can ensure that your or your loved one’s wishes will be met.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Advance care planning helps you make decisions about what care you would or would not want if you become unable to speak for yourself. Advance care planning can be done for yourself, your partner, or a parent.
What are Advance Directives?
Advance directives are legal documents that outline your decisions for end-of-life care and medical treatment. Advance directives are prepared ahead of time to ensure that your wishes are carried out if you were ever unable to communicate with your health care providers.
Completing Advance Directives
Advance directives can be documented by your primary care provider (PCP) or attorney, or you can print forms and complete them with your family or caregivers. Be sure to give a copy to your PCP and to your designated health care proxy, and keep a copy for yourself in a place easy for others to find.
If you or a loved one has advanced illness or frailty, is receiving specialized medical care for a serious condition, or is 80+ years old, it becomes even more important to have an advance care plan in place.
Download an Honoring Choices® advance care planning toolkit and forms on our website at healthnewengland.org/medicare/forms. For additional information, visit theconversationproject.org, and start the conversation with your loved ones today.
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