Give peace of mind to those you love by making wishes about
life-sustaining matters
via advance directives
Margie and Don, a couple in their 80s, are living quite
happily in their central Pennsylvania home of 50 years. They manage
their own financial affairs, attend church, and enjoy frequent
visits from their children and grandchildren. Margie and Don sleep
well at night knowing that, should an illness or injury leave one or
both of them unable to make decisions, their children will not have
the burden of trying to guess what those decisions might have been.
The couple have given their children the gift of advance
planning. It is a thoughtful gesture that can eliminate uncertainty,
speculation, and discord within their family, and make it easier for
their healthcare providers to honor their wishes.
The Pennsylvania couple has prepared, signed, and let their
children know the location of documents known as "advance
directives." These documents include a living will and a power of
attorney for healthcare. Margie's and Don's advance directives
communicate their wishes on issues including:
• The kinds of medical treatments they want and do not want
to extend or sustain life in terminal conditions.
• The person(s) designated to make decisions for each of
them and for both of them if they are hurt in the same accident.
• The kinds of comfort care they desire, such as measures
to reduce pain and suffering.
• Preferences based on their religion.
Following the example of a neighbor whose children
benefited from such planning, Margie and Don broached the subject of
their advance directives with their family members in a positive
light. Reluctant and resistant to the conversation at first, their
sons and daughters understood that their parents wanted the
discussion as much for their own peace of mind as for their
children's benefit. Once on board, the children were grateful and
relieved. They knew that if they ever needed to make decisions for
their parents, they would not have to wonder if they were doing "the
right thing."
Planning
Advance planning is the best way to prepare for difficult
decisions. Knowing that financial, legal, and healthcare preferences
have been expressed can alleviate stress during difficult times.
Several issues should be carefully considered in advance care
planning.
• Preferences. It is important for people to make their
preferences known and clear to their family members, doctors, and
others around them. These preferences include medical directives,
which may
be communicated by assigning power of attorney for medical
decisions and/or creating a living will.
Preferences also include desires and requests related to
funeral and memorial services.
• Financial and Legal Documents. Creating a will can ensure
that an individual's specific desires for the distribution of his
estate will be carried out. All important information related to
bank accounts, IRAs, stocks, loans, and financial commitments should
be made available to a designated family member, friend, attorney,
or other person who will serve as executor of the estate. Additional
legal documents, such as birth certificates and marriage licenses,
should also be made available.
• Help with Planning. Many different kinds of professionals
can assist in creating the advance directives that help ensure an
individual's wishes will be respected. Lawyers and members of the
clergy are obvious examples. Some counselors and social
workers—especially those who work for hospice services— are uniquely
qualified to offer guidance at all stages of the advance care
planning process. Hospice professionals can answer questions about
what to expect, provide support for sensitive conversations with
friends and family, and provide help in dealing with sadness, grief,
and other complex feelings.
Additional Resources
• The U.S. Administration on Aging Web site at
www.aoa.gov has links to end-of-life resources.
• The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Helpline can be reached by calling 1–800–658–8898 or visiting their
website at www.nhpco.org.
• Several excellent publications in the Complete Life
series, developed under a grant from the Administration on Aging,
are available online from the University of Hawaii's Center on Aging
at www.hawaii.edu/aging.
As the Nation celebrates Older Americans Month in May, you
can learn more about advance care planning and other topics by
visiting www.aoa.gov. The theme of Older Americans
Month—"Celebrate Long-Term Living!"— highlights the goal of
organizations throughout the Aging Network to help older Americans
stay healthy and active longer. For information about local
resources, contact the Eldercare Locator at 1–800–677–1116, or visit
www.eldercare.gov.