Thinking ahead about your healthcare needs and preferences matters more with age. Making decisions about medical care in advance ensures your wishes are respected even if you can’t communicate them later. Advance care planning for seniors might seem like a difficult conversation, but it’s necessary for your peace of mind so everyone is prepared if your health changes suddenly.
What Is Advance Care Planning?
Advance care planning involves considering and documenting your healthcare wishes. It includes decisions about the types of medical treatments you would or wouldn't want in different situations. The main goal is to ensure your healthcare preferences are adhered to when you cannot communicate them yourself.
Having an advanced care plan offers several benefits. It can reduce stress and confusion for loved ones during emergencies and honor your healthcare choices. An advanced care plan can also provide a clear guide for healthcare providers, eliminating guesswork.
Creating an Advance Directive
An advance directive is a legal document that outlines your healthcare wishes and ensures they are honored. This legal document typically comes in two forms. A living will specifies the medical treatments you want or don't want if you are unable to speak for yourself. On the other hand, a durable power of attorney for healthcare allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you can no longer do so.
To create an advance directive, you'll want to:
- Reflect on your healthcare preferences and values.
- Discuss your wishes with your doctor to understand the medical implications.
- Choose a trusted person to be your healthcare proxy.
- Fill out the advance directive forms, which you can find online or at your doctor's office.
- Sign the document and have it witnessed or notarized if required.
Discussing Wishes With Loved Ones
Talking about your healthcare wishes with family members will ensure everyone is on the same page, avoiding potential conflicts later. Choose a calm, private setting for the discussion. Be honest about your feelings and reasons for your choices. Encourage questions and listen to your loved ones' concerns. Reassure them that this planning is about making things easier for everyone. Ensure that your family understands and respects your wishes. Inform them where you keep your advance directive and who your healthcare proxy is.
Ensuring Healthcare Preferences are Respected
Once your advance directive is complete, share it with your healthcare providers. Give a copy to your primary care doctor and any specialists you see regularly. This ensures that all your medical caregivers are aware of your wishes.
Review and update your advance directive regularly, especially if your health status changes. Do the same if you change your mind about your healthcare preferences. Make sure to inform your family and healthcare providers of any updates.
Your healthcare proxy should understand your wishes thoroughly and be ready to advocate for you. Choose someone comfortable making potentially tough decisions in line with your preferences.
Tap Senior Helpers for In-Home Support While Planning Your Future Care
An advanced directive requires proper planning and time to ensure it aligns with your preferences and needs. If you need in-home support to free up time to focus on your advanced care plans, Senior Helpers Chattanooga can help. We can assist with daily living activities, light housekeeping, and other aspects of senior care so you can focus on things that matter. Contact us today for tailored senior support in Chattanooga, Hixson, Cleveland, Red Bank, and Signal Mountain.