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Mind & Spirit

Kids & Families

Seniors & AGING

Planning Your End of Life Care

Introduction

You can prepare for a potential medical crisis by taking steps today to ensure your participation in future health care decision:

  • GATHER the information you need to make the right choices for you.
  • TALK about end-of-life decisions with your family, friends, doctor, the clergy and any others close to you to help determine what quality of life and which decisions are important to you.
  • PREPARE and sign advance directives that accurately reflect your decisions and comply with your state’s law.
  • INFORM your loved ones and doctor about your preferences and give them copies of your advance directives.
Getting The Right Information

Preparing for a potential medical crisis may seem daunting, but having the right information will make things easier.  Numerous sources of information about end-of-life choices and how to make them are available to you, including:

  • Your doctor
  • The social work department or the patient representative office of your local hospital
  • Death and dying sections of libraries and bookstores
Talking About The Issues

The following questions may help you discuss thee issues with family, loved ones and an agent:

  • How do you want to be treated at the end of your life?
  • Are there treatments you particularly want to receive or refuse?
  • What are you afraid might happen if you can’t make decisions for yourself?
  • Do you have any particular fears of concerns about the medical treatments that you might receive?  Under what circumstances?
  • What makes those things frightening?
  • What do phrases like no heroic measures or dying with dignity actually mean to you?

For more information, call Choice In Dying at (800) 989-WILL.

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