5 Questions That Come Up During Advanced Care Planning

Advanced care planning can be difficult to think about, but is an excellent step in preparedness. The future can hold all sorts of things, both good and bad. In the case that you are not able to make decisions for yourself, due to aging, injury, or illness, it is good to give your loved ones guidelines for what you do and do not want. This kind or planning will inevitably bring up a few questions, however, so be prepared to determine your answers. Your conversation should start with your doctor, so you fully understand the different steps and how they will affect you.

1. Do you want life support or resuscitation?

Think about what sorts of measures you want taken to prolong your life, and in what situations. That includes how you feel about feeding tubes or ventilators. For the very ill, a DNR (do not resuscitate) may be considered. There is no wrong answer, only what you want for you.

2. Who will be your health care proxy?

It is also important in advanced care planning to name a health care proxy. This is the person that will speak on your behalf if you are unable to do so. They should be close to you and have a true understanding of your wishes.

3. What documents do you need?

A number of document types can be drawn, outlining your advanced care planning wishes. Some states have a particular form to complete. Other times, you can have your directions witnessed and notarized. If you have an attorney, they can also help with legal documents.

4. How do you make your wishes known?

Those you love may or may not know what you want. Provide copies of your documents to your doctor, health care proxy, relatives, and anyone else that might be involved in the decision making.

5. Can you make changes in the future?

Changes can always be made to advanced care planning directives. That's why it makes sense to create one as soon as possible. If you do make changes, be sure to provide updated information to all of those with copies of your paperwork, so there is no confusion.

Remember to check with your doctor before taking any treatment or medical remedy.

If you would like to learn more about advanced care planning in the Seguin, Texas, area, click here.