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Advance care planning is a gift you give those you love most should you ever be in a situation where you are no longer able to speak for yourself. It becomes a valuable tool for families as they face some of life's most challenging decisions about caring for you in your final days. Experience and research indicate that those who engage in advance care planning create a situation that leaves their families with much less stress. When the plans are both verbal and written, stress levels lower even further. Families that engage in advance care planning suffer less guilt and are less "haunted" by their decisions.

Advance care planning implies that you have thoughtfully considered how you would like your care to be at the end of your life. It is a process that involves three active steps - thinking, talking, and acting.

THINK about the kind of care you want to receive if you are no longer able to care for yourself. If you were unconscious and not likely to regain consciousness, or no longer able to care for yourself, would you want treatments that might prolong your life? Do you desire interventions to relieve pain and suffering? Is there someone you trust enough to make your healthcare decisions for you, and is that person willing and able to take on this responsibility?

TALK with those you love about the kind of care you hope to receive if faced with these circumstances at the end of life. Assistance in beginning this important conversation with family is available by going to the Consumer Resources menu on LIFE Project website (www.LIFEProject.org/_cr_ad.htm). Be sure to include as many family members as you feel comfortable with in this important conversation. Each one needs a clear understanding of your wishes before decisions have to be made. With Advance Care Planning, the emotional elements are discussed with family and your wishes are made known before the need arises. While all may not agree with your wishes at the end of life, it is important to choose the one person that will carry out you wishes as your agent.

ACT by completing a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions (downloadable document for Kansas). Name someone who knows you and understands your choices and values and who you can trust to carry out your wishes. Several agencies have specific information regarding this document. Links to these agencies can be found on the LIFE Project website. Lastly, it is very important to share this document with your physician, designated healthcare agent, attorney, and family members. Advance care planning is hard work and requires a lot of energy. But it is important and can help those you love. You can change your mind and your choices at any time. The focus is giving direction to your loved ones should you become unable to do so for yourself.


	Advance Care Planning is a Gift by Carolyn Carter, RN, MN
	Advance care planning is a gift you give those you love most should you ever be in a situation where you are no longer able to speak for yourself. It becomes a valuable tool for families as they face some of life's most challenging decisions about caring for you in your final days. Experience and research indicate that those who engage in advance care planning create a situation that leaves their families with much less stress. When the plans are both verbal and written, stress levels lower even further. Families that engage in advance care planning suffer less guilt and are less "haunted" by their decisions. Advance care planning implies that you have thoughtfully considered how you would like your care to be at the end of your life. It is a process that involves three active steps - thinking, talking, and acting. *THINK* about the kind of care you want to receive if you are no longer able to care for yourself. If you were unconscious and not likely to regain consciousness, or no longer able to care for yourself, would you want treatments that might prolong your life? Do you desire interventions to relieve pain and suffering? Is there someone you trust enough to make your healthcare decisions for you, and is that person willing and able to take on this responsibility? *TALK* with those you love about the kind of care you hope to receive if faced with these circumstances at the end of life. Assistance in beginning this important conversation with family is available by going to the Consumer Resources menu on LIFE Project website (www.LIFEProject.org/_cr_ad.htm). Be sure to include as many family members as you feel comfortable with in this important conversation. Each one needs a clear understanding of your wishes before decisions have to be made. With Advance Care Planning, the emotional elements are discussed with family and your wishes are made known before the need arises. While all may not agree with your wishes at the end of life, it is important to choose the one person that will carry out you wishes as your agent. *ACT* by completing a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions (downloadable document for Kansas). Name someone who knows you and understands your choices and values and who you can trust to carry out your wishes. Several agencies have specific information regarding this document. Links to these agencies can be found on the LIFE Project website. Lastly, it is very important to share this document with your physician, designated healthcare agent, attorney, and family members. Advance care planning is hard work and requires a lot of energy. But it is important and can help those you love. You can change your mind and your choices at any time. The focus is giving direction to your loved ones should you become unable to do so for yourself. Back Top Next Site Map
	LIFE Project 1901 University - Wichita, Kansas 67213-3325 316.263.6380 316.263.6542 fax HELPLINE (tollfree) 888-202-5433 888-202-LIFE contact@lifeproject.org