Advance Care Planning (ACP) is about making healthcare decisions ahead of time so that others know the type of care you would like to receive if you were unable to speak for yourself. And it’s not just for those who may be in the final months of life—everyone 18 or older should have plans in place.
“Thinking through how we want our end-of-life care plan to look and having those discussions with our trusted family and healthcare team places us in a position of control,” says Lisa Sprinkel, RN, vice president of Carilion Clinic Home Care and Hospice, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. “It can also lessen the burden for family members because they have a clearer understanding of your wishes.”
The Plan
“As with any medical plan, we want to hope for the best and plan for the 'what ifs,’” says Lisa.
As you think through your end-of-life wishes, ask yourself the following questions:
- What kind of medical treatment would I want (or not want) to receive?
- Where would I want to receive treatment (i.e. at home, in a care facility, etc.)?
- Who would I want involved in decision-making?
“The beauty in the responses to these questions is that there are no right or wrong answers,” says Lisa. “Think about what matters most to you and how that could be honored if you were facing a serious or life-limiting illness.”
The Conversation
Talking about your healthcare decisions with your loved ones may not be the easiest conversation to have, but it’s important—for your peace of mind and theirs. The Conversation Project offers these tips:
- You don’t have to talk about everything during the first conversation. Keep talking over time
- Be patient. Every time you start a conversation it helps you come closer to making your wishes fully known.
- You don’t have to lead the entire conversation. It's also important to listen to what the other person says so you can build trust.
- You can always change your mind as things change.
- These conversations are challenging. The important thing is to begin and continue talking to better prepare for the future.
The Paperwork
To make sure that your end-of-life wishes are carried out, you’ll need to complete an advance directive (also called a living will). This document allows you to:
- Spell out your healthcare wishes in writing ahead of time, helping your loved ones avoid confusion later
- Name a healthcare agent, the person who will make decisions for you if you can’t
This is a legal document that only becomes active when you’re unable to make or communicate your own healthcare choices. (Tip: You don’t need a lawyer to draft an advance directive, and it doesn’t need to be notarized!)
Be sure to give a copy of your finalized documents to your loved ones and your healthcare team.
Talk with your physician about your future healthcare wishes and visit CarilionClinic.org/ACP for resources to help you begin the conversation and start working on your advance directive.
