by Jill Chambers
You don’t need to be of advanced age to have an advanced care plan. You never know when you’ll meet the proverbial bus or have an unexpected health event. Advanced Care Planning helps you to think about, talk about, and document your health care wishes in the event you become incapable of making your own care decisions. This will bring peace of mind to your family and those who may have to make healthcare decisions on your behalf and will ensure your wishes are honoured.
It is important that you think about your own values and wishes, choose someone to make decisions for you when you can’t, communicate this information, and document it. Choose someone who will follow your wishes even though the decisions required may be difficult. And let that person know they have been named and what your wishes are.
Many of these forms can be obtained from your doctor or online at Alberta Health Services (https://myhealth.alberta.ca/HealthTopics/Advance-Care-Planning). The AHS website will also assist with things you should consider and options.
Goals of Care Designation
Gives guidance to your health practitioner on specific and general medical care intentions, preferred location of care, and transfer opportunities for current and future care.
Green Sleeve
This is a plastic pocket that includes your important medical care documents (Personal Directive, Goals of Care Designation, list of your prescribed medications and drug allergies, Guardianship Orders, etc.). Keep this on top of your fridge – that is where paramedics called to your home will look for it.
Personal Directive
https://www.alberta.ca/personal-directive.aspx.
This is a legal document you create while capable of making your own decisions. It allows you to name a decision-maker and provides written instructions in the event you can’t make your own decisions.
Enduring Power of Attorney
https://www.alberta.ca/enduring-power-of-attorney.aspx.
This document provides instructions for managing personal finances if you are incapacitated.
This article is meant to give you basic information only. It is important that you research what steps are required and discuss options with your family, doctor, and maybe your lawyer. Thank you to Jill Chambers for sharing this introductory information to get us started on our planning journey.
Click here to the Mount Pleasant Community News home page for the latest Mount Pleasant community updates.
