Advanced Care Planning
Open communication with loved ones about Advanced Care Planning is important no matter what your level of health is. Advanced Care Planning is the process of making decisions about the medical care that you would like to receive if you are unable to speak for yourself. These are your decisions to make, based on your preferences and values. These preferences can be written down in a legal document called an advanced directive. This helps others know what type of medical care you would want. Communicating your desires with a loved one that you trust is also important. This person can be designated as your medical power of attorney (mPoA). The responsibility of this person is to ensure that your values and preferences are respected throughout your care. The legal document helps guide this process, but in times of crisis, the one you love will be the person advocating for you.
It is recommended that all people, regardless of age or stage of illness, complete an advanced directive and communicate clearly with their loved one(s) about their wishes. Life is sometimes unpredictable, and therefore it is important to be prepared for any unexpected event. The goal is always to live the best life you can, at any given moment, in spite of this unpredictability.
