Although no one wants to promote his inevitable death or serious illness, it is important to give it a bit of a forecast, as you will not have the luxury of the later view. Then share it with your loved ones and put it in writing. April was the month of early care planning. The Massachusetts Public Health Department called on the clinicians to ask all adults, regardless of age if they have a care representative. If they don’t have one, it’s time to start the conversation.
Do you have a healthcare proxy? If so, paste -you on your back, but keep reviewing it annually. If you don’t, you’re not alone. More than 90% of North -Americans believe that it is important to assign a trustworthy person in your life, as your voice will not be able to communicate -BOOD. Unfortunately, only a third of the adults has completed a care proxy form.
The advantages are double. You will have the peace of mind that your wishes are made. Your loved ones will have the tools to make decisions for you and respect your options. There are many resources available, along with your medical care provider, to help hold these conversations with your family and make decisions. We honor the Massachusetts options and the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association Spone Step campaign offers online guidance, forms, videos, multilingual tools, the care form with instructions and a hand titled Who is your care agent?
The form is quite simple. The decisions to make include who your care agent and an alternative agent will be. Designate your authority, including the treatment decisions that keep your life. The option is available to list limits to the authority or give specific instructions. The form is signed and witnessed by two people. Lastly, your healthcare agents are recommended to sign the way to prove acceptance.
A copy of the form must be given to your care agents, your care doctors and suppliers, as well as scan -you are in your medical record in your hospital. It is a good idea that your family or other loved people know who your healthcare agent is in advance.
Everyone over the age of 18 should have one. During childhood, your father or guardian is legally your proxy. If you are sick or injured and you do not have a filled care proxy form, the legal system will decide for you.
When choosing your person, you know that you may need to make hard and fast decisions on your behalf on treatment, procedures, surgeries and life support. Many people we love may not be good. They do not need to have medical experience. They need to be able to make decisions that follow your wishes, but maybe not theirs. They need to know -you, understand your values and desires, communicate well and defend them strongly for them with possible adversities from others in your life.
Is it a coincidence that April is the month of early care planning and taxes are due? We need to plan our taxes and be prepared for expected or unexpected diseases and injuries. Benjamin Franklin wrote famously in a letter: “In this world, it cannot be said that nothing is true that death and taxes.”
Take care of yourself and another person.
Juanita Carnes is a nurse practicing with 39 years of experience in a hospital emergency service and urgent care facilities. He spent 30 years at the Westfield Health Council, Massachusetts.