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Making health care decisions
April 16 was National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). NHDD was created in 2008 by a health care lawyer, Nathan Kottkamp from Virginia, to create awareness about the importance of advance directives and health care decisions. He picked the day after “Tax Day” and was inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s quip that “nothing in life is certain but death and taxes.”
Making health care decisions isn’t a topic we discuss in everyday conversations or even on special occasions. But we need to think about what our wishes are and let our friends and family know what they are. And these conversations are not just for seniors; they are for everyone over the age of 18.
The first decision is choosing your health care representative, the person who will make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself (in case of serious accident or illness). Using a local resource like the website of Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association, you can download the Indiana Advance Directive Form, complete it, and have two witnesses sign the document. Make copies and take it wherever you receive health care.
Leaving the decision-making to chance could result in your wishes not being honored or getting care that you don’t want. Making health care wishes known is a gift to family members who won’t be burdened with guilt wondering if they made the right decisions for you.
Maybe you are wondering what qualities make a good health care representative?
When you are considering whom to choose to be your health care representative, you will want to choose someone who will follow your wishes and may be comfortable making quick decisions in a changing situation.
If choosing a family member isn’t an option for you, you might consider a trusted neighbor, friend, or member of your faith community.
After you have chosen your health care representative, the next step is talking to that person about what really matters to you. Are there kinds of treatment that you would want or not want (examples: resuscitation attempts, ventilation, feeding tube)? Whom do you want (or not want) to be involved in your care? Do you have worries about your health?
The Indiana law guiding advance directives changed in July of 2021. As a result, you could write your wishes on a napkin with two signatures, and it would be a legal document. I mentioned an easy-to-use document on the PCHPCA website (www.pchpca.org). I have also listed other websites for guidance with making health care decisions.
Healthcare decisions may change as you age or get a new diagnosis. Keep the conversation going with your health care representative, with members of your family, and with your health care team. “It always seems too early until it’s too late.”
Resources:
https://pchpca.org/index.php/advance-care-directives/advance-care-directives
theconversationproject.org
prepareforyourcare.org
fivewishes.org