Advance Care Planning: Why it Matters and How to Start
Starting advance care planning can open you up to a world of opportunities, lets walk through it together
What Is Advance Care Planning, Anyway?
Advance care planning, contrary to what some might think, is not the latest self-help trend or a fancy way of saying you've decided to finally stop drinking soda. It's the process of making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you become unable to speak for yourself. You know, like if you happen to have a mouth full of donuts at a critical moment (or, more realistically, in a medical crisis).
Why Bother with Advance Care Planning?
You might think, "I'm healthy as a horse. I don't need to worry about that stuff yet!" But horses can trip and fall, too. The point is, life is unpredictable. The idea is to ensure you get the medical care you want, even when you can't voice your preferences.
Let's put it this way: You wouldn't let your friend, who thinks pineapple belongs on pizza, order for you at a restaurant, would you? So why let someone else, even someone who loves you, make guesses about your healthcare decisions?
Plus, having these plans in place eases the burden on your loved ones. It's hard enough for them to see you not feeling well. It's even harder if they're stressed about making the right decisions for you.
How to Kick-Start Your Advance Care Planning Journey
Starting advance care planning might sound as daunting as asking your teenager to clean their room (and expecting it to happen). But it's not that complicated. Here's a simplified roadmap:
Self-Reflection: Think about your health care goals, values, and wishes. This step is best done in a quiet space, away from distractions like your cat incessantly demanding food or your phone buzzing with social media notifications.
Communication: Have a chat with your loved ones and healthcare providers about your decisions. It's like talking about your road trip plans, but instead of discussing pit stops, you'll be talking about things like life-sustaining treatments.
Documentation: Put your wishes in writing. This is called an advance directive. You can think of it as a treasure map leading to the gold of honoring your healthcare decisions.
Review and Update: Circumstances and wishes change. Maybe you once wanted to visit the World's Largest Ball of Twine, but now you've moved on to the Biggest Frying Pan. It's the same with your health care decisions - review and update them as needed.
