Author: McLaren Flint
If you were in a serious accident or suffered a stroke, would the people closest to you know how you would want them to handle your health care decisions? Getting this conversation started is exactly why Health Care Decisions Day is observed every April 16. The idea is to educate everyone, including health providers about the importance of advance care planning.
An advance directive is a legally recognized document that outlines how you want your medical care to move forward in the event you are unable to make decisions or communicate on your own behalf. According to the National Institutes on Aging, the most recognized types of advance directives are a living will and a medical power of attorney.
A living will is a document that states your wishes should you be unable to communicate. It covers whether you would want to be kept on life support, to be resuscitated, whether you would like to donate your organs, and the type of comfort care you want to receive. A medical power of attorney for health care designates a specific person, usually a family member or close friend, to communicate those preferences on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
“Providers recommend patients having your preferences documented and known because medical emergencies are unpredictable. In these situations, loved ones often feel helpless and uncertain. The stress can make it difficult to make decisions,” said Nicole Teeter, DNP, who is a family medicine nurse practitioner at McLaren Flint - Fenton Community Medical Center. “Having your wishes down on paper ahead of time can relieve your loved ones of the burden of guessing what you might want. Designating someone to speak on your behalf will ensure a person you trust will advocate on your behalf.”
According to the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional accidents are the most common cause of serious injury or death in people between the ages of 1 and 44.
“This is why advance directives are recommended for patients of all ages, as medical emergencies are typically unexpected,” said Teeter.
If you don’t have advance directives in place, state laws may dictate who can make health care decisions for you. Once you have advance directives in place, experts recommend reviewing and updating them every 10 years or whenever there is a change in your health or relationship status.
Once your advance directive is complete, provide a copy to your healthcare representative and your healthcare provider. You can find Michigan’s advance directive forms by visiting the AARP or the American Bar Association’s websites, or by calling the Michigan Attorney General’s office.
If you have questions about any of the topics covered in an advance directive, talk to your primary health provider. If you do not have one, you can connect with a provider near you at mclaren.org/primarycare.