The Importance of Advanced Directives

How prepared were you when you were expecting a baby? The nursery was ready, and you had your hospital bag ready to go; you picked a pediatrician, arranged to have the new grandparents available at a minute’s notice, checked your insurance, etc.

 While birth is exciting, full of promise for life just beginning, we also know that we all will die one day.  Perhaps not a comforting thought but the reality. 

 Why are we not nearly as prepared for this as we are for childbirth?  Because it is scary, and we don’t want to think about it.  But we need to, and have been made more aware of this since the pandemic; when young, healthy people suddenly found themselves on ventilators, middle-aged and older people became very ill, and family members were in the dark.  Many of us don’t have Advance Directives, a Health Care proxy (and don’t even know what they are!), have not discussed “what if” with our family. In addition, frequently, spouses have particular roles in a marriage.  If something should happen to your spouse, do you know what monthly bills you have?  Where are the important papers?  If you are the parent of an adult, who is not married, have they named you their health care proxy?  If not, and something happens and they are incapable of making their own medical decisions, the doctors, not you, will make them.

 We all need a plan, starting with the basics.  As a medically trained Physician Assistant and a Board Certified Patient Advocate, I will guide the way for you.  I will help you understand your Advance Directives. Do you want to have CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and have someone re-start your heart and possibly get a breathing tube? Do you want a feeding tube?  Will you accept a blood transfusion?  If you can’t make medical decisions for yourself, who do you want to make them?

 We can discuss your other needs, such as finances and how to ensure that your family knows how to do the basics, pay bills, and essential contacts if need be. 

 The majority of us were not prepared for the pandemic and realized how vulnerable we all are.  Let’s take this as a warning and get prepared now.

 Take the first step.  Call or email me for more information on how I can help you with your Advanced Directives.