Advance Care Planning is a process to help you understand possible future healthcare choices. Advance care planning involves an open discussion with your loved ones and healthcare providers about your wishes should your health ever decline and you are unable to make your own healthcare decisions. It identifies what’s important to you and helps you communicate your wishes.
Many people do not realize that they have a choice in their healthcare. Advance care planning is for anyone 18 years or older, but especially those who have chronic conditions, multiple hospital admissions or functional decline. Considering your wishes can feel overwhelming. Even if it is hard to talk about, it is best to have the conversation and make these decisions early.
When you have discussions about how you want to be treated, it reduces stress, anxiety and even anger among all those involved. At Memorial, we have an Advance Care Planning facilitator who can help lead you through this process including:
- Reflect on those choices in light of the values and goals important to you,
- Discuss your choices with those close to you and the health professionals who care for you, and
- Make a plan for future healthcare situations.