Advanced care planning allows for peace of mind by documenting your healthcare wishes should you become severely injured or terminally ill. By taking the time to have these discussions you’ll be proactive and prepared before a medical crisis or healthcare change happens. These planning discussions with Paradigm Health palliative and hospice care patients, in collaboration with one of our social workers, can help those with life-limiting conditions facing psychological, social, spiritual or financial concerns navigate the end-of-life planning process.
Yet a majority of the nation’s older adults have failed to document wishes about the type of care they want — or don’t want — with a spouse, family member or friend should they get seriously ill, according to a new poll supported by AARP and Michigan Medicine.
Why the lack of action? According to the survey, the reasons 54 percent of older adults had not completed a medical durable power of attorney or advance care directives are particularly concerning. A whopping 62 percent of those without advance directives said they “had not gotten around to it.” Fifteen percent said they “did not know how.” Thirteen percent said they “did not like talking about these things,” while another 13 percent said they “did not think it was necessary.” Finally, 9 percent said “no one asked them to” and 7 percent said they were “deterred by cost.”
For more information on advanced care planning, visit Indiana’s Advance Directives Resource Center.
