Greetings one and all! I really hope you are doing well and enjoying the unfolding spring season. On...

1. Plan For Your Life
Greetings one and all! I really hope you are doing well
and enjoying the unfolding spring season. Once again, I
encourage you to take a deep breath, pour a cup of
coffee or hot tea, and relax.
In order, perhaps a chat about advance care planning is
in light of the upcoming National Healthcare Choices
Day on April 16. Delay! I know what you are thinking.
This really is NOT at all something you need to think
about. Medical care alternatives and end-of-life choices are charged and daunting, to say the least.
However, if we re-frame the conversation, maybe you'll be more inclined to adopt the planning
procedure.
Instead of thinking about various death scenarios, look at the endless options for LIFE! Planning for
LIFE is a much more appealing and productive strategy. How do you prefer to LIVE before the finish
of the trail? You have to plan well to ensure that your wishes become your reality.
Over the past eleven years, numerous programs were presented by me on advance directives--legal
documents that indicate choices for medical care and end-of-life care that become effective when a
person is incapacitated. Without exception, individuals were enticing to attend. Most folks just do
not need to "go there." It is estimated that only 25-30% of men and women in the United States have
completed advance directives. There are numerous factors leading to our unwillingness to strategy:
deficiency of knowledge, dearth of urgency, concern with death and dying, distrust of medical
systems, psychological distress, ethnic incompatibility, and family dissension. But if we fail to state
our tastes related to medical care and end-of-life care, we relinquish control and frequently unduly
burden relatives and buddies. A distressing scenario for all concerned.
Therefore, we need to Plan for LIFE. The initial step in the preparation process will be to "know
thyself." Take the time . Look at the following questions in relationship to advanced age or to a
healthcare catastrophe:
How can you intend to LIVE (define an acceptable quality of LIFE)? For example:
-- Physically energetic
-- Mentally astute
-- Capable of conveying
For example:
-- Stay at home
-- Be surrounded by friends and family

2. -- Keep a sense of control
-- Be treated with respect and dignity
-- Expertise good-managed pain and symptoms
For example:
-- Physical suffering
-- Reduction of significance and purpose
-- Monetary ruin
-- Being a burden
The next step in the preparation process is critically important--discussing your Strategy for LIFE
with friends and family. I can not stress this enough! Friends and family need to hear your LIFE
wishes. Getting THE dialog with loved ones affords the chance answer questions, to pronounce your
tastes, and discuss issues. Moreover, your readiness to "go there" may encourage other people to
follow in your footsteps. A great thing indeed! Ask us about some of the fabulous on-line resources to
aid in kick starting THE dialogue.
Eventually, document your Strategy for LIFE. Advance directives contain a number of legal forms
including: CPR directive, living will, Medical Durable Power of Attorney, MOST, POLST, 5 Wishes,
etc. It is necessary to determine the lawfully accepted and required documentation as mandated.
Seek legal counsel if desired.
In the event you are still reluctant to "go there," let me say one more thing. Advance directives
AREN'T all about YOU! Investing time and consideration to develop An Agenda for LIFE results in
among the greatest gifts you could ever offer friends and your family. A well-conceived Plan for LIFE
advise and will direct those that care at the conclusion of the road for you personally --mitigating
several of angst and the unavoidable uncertainty. For me, that is enough to Plan for LIFE! I hope it
inspires you .
For those who have specific questions or concerns linked to your caregiving experience, I'd love to
hear from you. Until the following appointment, I wish you and yours innumerable blessings.
Home Care