What Is Advance Care Planning?
Advance care planning refers to when people proactively think about what their health care wishes would be if they were unable to speak for themselves at any time in the future and communicate those wishes to others.
Advanced care planning is important for people of all ages because anything can happen to anyone at any time and having a plan in place can help ensure that your health care wishes can be known and honored in any situation.
Advance Directives are a powerful tool to help inform your medical team about your health care wishes.
Why Is This Important?
Did you know that no more than one third of all American adults have an advance care plan in writing? This is particularly concerning because studies suggest that roughly 70% of Americans will be unable to make decisions for themselves at some point in their lives. This is why advance care planning is so important. And it is not just important for the elderly or those with severe illness. Health crises can happen to anyone at any time.
How Can I Complete An Advance Directive?
Any person over age 18 who can make his or her own decisions can complete an advance directive form. You do not need a lawyer to complete advance directive forms. However, the forms need to be signed by a notary or two witnesses. The witness may include anyone except your physician, family members, or the person(s) you’re naming as decision maker in the advance directives.
LeadingAge Ohio provides the “Choices: Living Well at the End of Life” brochure, which includes the most recent advance directives documents and vital information to explain the documents and terminology and offers answers to FAQs. Hard copies are available through the LeadingAge website.