Advanced Care Planning For Jasper Area Seniors
A lot of planning comes with age, and one of the plans that sometimes gets overlooked is advanced care. Your advanced care is your wish for how you want medical professionals to treat and care for you in case of an emergency. It encompasses all your medical decisions so the people around you know what to do in different health-related situations.
While some people may have discussed last wishes with loved ones, advanced care is more detailed and official planning that upholds your desires when the time comes.
What Is Advanced Care?
Advanced care planning is the preparation for future medical care in case you cannot communicate your needs. Advanced care planning aims to have a plan in case of an emergency, such as a stroke or comma, where you can’t tell doctors how you want to be treated. Advanced care planning can also remove some stress from loved ones because they’ll know how to approach your medical wishes.
Two significant documents you’ll want to include in your advanced care planning are:
- A durable power of attorney: This is a legal document that names who is responsible for making health care decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself. Many people choose a spouse, child, sibling, or close friend.
- A living will: This legal document tells doctors your medical decisions in case you cannot communicate. Some people have a living will instead of a durable power of attorney if they don’t have a trusted individual to make decisions. However, many people also have both to ensure their wishes are met.
Beyond medical care, advanced care planning can include after-life wishes, such as funeral arrangements, estate control, and organ donation.
Tips For Advanced Care Planning
Taking the first steps in advanced care planning is difficult, but it’s something you should do. Consider these tips to help you start your advanced care planning.
- Start early. It’s never too early to start your advanced care plan. Don’t wait until you’re experiencing health concerns to start thinking about your future medical care.
- Think about your values. What matters most to you regarding your health? What are non-negotiables in your medical care? Think about these values and wishes, and share them with loved ones.
- Consider your finances and the finances of your loved ones. Understanding what your insurance will cover and what you’ll need to pay out of pocket is helpful. It’s also helpful to consider afterlife costs, such as funeral expenses, and how those will get paid.
- Contact a legal professional. Advanced care planning requires legal documents that you should have written by a lawyer. You can find affordable Alabama law services here.
- Talk to your loved ones. You don’t want your advanced care plan to surprise anyone. Have open conversations with those close to you to let them know how you want your medical care handled in an emergency. It’s also a good idea to ask you for a durable power of attorney if they can make decisions on your behalf before you make it official.
Advanced Care With Visiting Angels Jasper
Visiting Angels is an at-home care agency that works with seniors and their families throughout Jasper, Alabama, and the surrounding communities. We provide various at-home care services, including end-of-life care.
Our end-of-life care services provide nonmedical assistance to support clients as they enter their final stages of life. Our caregivers also support clients' families emotionally and spiritually as they navigate this challenging time.
Contact our Jasper office to learn about end-of-life care and other at-home care services.