Whether preparing for a vacation, the holidays or even retirement, the importance of thinking ahead is essential. But have you ever thought about planning for your future health?
Spending time thinking about advance directives can help you lead the life you want by sharing your healthcare preferences with your physician, care teams, family and trusted friends.
There are two types of advance directives:
• Living wills — Documents that outline the type of life-sustaining treatment and procedures you wish to receive, including mechanical respirators, kidney dialysis or CPR
• Power of attorney — A document that allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf, in the situation you are no longer able to do so
Advance directives may be cancelled or changed at any time, and it’s advised to give a copy to people you trust.
Here are some helpful steps when drafting your advance directives:
• Reflect — Identify what is most important to you and your loved ones
• Talk — Discuss preferences as they pertain to artificial nutrition and hydration, resuscitation, comfort care, longevity of treatments/procedures, and organ and tissue donation
• Act — Consult your attorney or legal counsel; professionals can provide you with the proper documents and can answer questions
• Maintain — Periodically review your advance directive and keep it up to date. Keep a card in your wallet that states you have an advance directive with contact information of a person who has a copy on hand or knows where the directive is located
For answers to all your aging questions, start with Tabitha. Contact a Tabitha Care Expert today.