This post was written by Michael Kinsey, MAOL, Advance Care Planning specialist, Parkview Health.
Advance care planning (ACP) is important for all adults. If you are 18 years or older, now is the right moment to plan ahead for a time when you may have a healthcare emergency and are unable to speak for yourself. But let’s be honest: thinking about medical emergencies is probably not at the top of your to-do list. It may be down there with cleaning out the gutters or organizing that random junk drawer in the kitchen. We tend to think that advance care planning is a task reserved exclusively for grandparents or people facing serious illnesses. But here is the truth: if you are an adult, even a perfectly healthy one who eats their veggies, gets plenty of sleep and feels completely invincible, you need a basic plan.
ACP isn’t about being gloomy or predicting the worst. It’s the most powerful move you can make to remain in the driver’s seat during a medical emergency. It is about locking in your independence, protecting your peace of mind and making sure the people you trust most in your life know what your values goals and preferences are for healthcare in a drastic situation.
The "what if" that no one likes to talk about
Life is entirely unpredictable. Sudden car accidents, severe work and sport injuries, or a sudden illness can happen to anyone out of nowhere. If you ever find yourself in a hospital bed temporarily unable to speak for yourself, your care team needs to know who to turn to for answers.
What happens if you do not have an advance directive? If you haven't completed a basic form for the state you live in, the state steps in with a default legal checklist to pick a relative to make your decisions. That might mean an estranged parent or a family member who completely panics under pressure is making medical choices on your behalf. By taking control of the narrative now, you get to choose exactly who represents you, relays your preferences for care and makes decisions for your care when needed.
How to proceed
You do not need a massive, confusing stack of legal documents or a binder full of fine print. For healthy adults, the whole process boils down to just a handful of simple concepts:
- Learn what to consider before completing your own advance directive: Knowledge is power and taking the mystery out of advance care planning empowers you to remain in the driver’s seat. To learn more, you can have an ACP conversation with a certified facilitator who will guide you through a few talking points that help you to determine what matters most.
Alternatively, you can also complete an online module at your own pace. During these ACP experiences, you will learn what to consider when choosing your health care agents, how your own experiences, what living well means for you, and your cultural and spiritual influences shape your values, goals and preferences for healthcare.
- Complete your own advance directive: After having the conversation, your certified ACP facilitator will help you to complete the advance directive appropriate for the state you live in and/or receive care. This document is where you name the people you trust most in your life to be your health care agents and make any declarations ahead of time outlining your values, goals and preferences for care. If participating in the online ACP, after completing the module, you can print your advance directive already populated with the information you provided, then make it official with the appropriate signatures.
- What to do with your advance directive: Be sure to provide a copy of your advance directive to your healthcare agents, your healthcare providers and keep a copy handy for yourself.
- Have continued discussion with your healthcare agents: Think of advance care planning as a gift to the people you love. When a crisis hits, your favorite people won't have to stress, argue or live with the guilt of guessing what you would want. They will rely on the informative discussions you’ve had in advance. And your documented preferences will help to guide them and your care team.
Get started
Whether you prefer an in-person conversation or the online ACP experience, both are cost-free opportunities.
- In-person advance care planning: To schedule your in-person appointment simply call 260-266-1481 or email acpdept@parkview.com
- Online advance care planning: To participate in the online ACP experience, visit us here.
