1. Strategy For Your Best Life
I really hope you're doing well and enjoying
the unfolding springtime season.
In order, maybe a chat about advance care
planning is in light of the coming National
Healthcare Choices Day on April 16. Wait! I
know what you are thinking. This really is
NOT at all something you need to think
about. Medical care choices and end-of-life
choices are charged and daunting, to say
the least. But if we re-frame the
conversation, perhaps you'll be more
inclined to adopt the planning process.
Rather than thinking about various death scenarios, look at the endless options for LIFE! Planning
for LIFE is a much more appealing and productive approach. How can you want to LIVE before the
finish of the road? You must plan well, to make sure that your wishes become your reality.
Without exception, the biggest challenge was enticing individuals to attend. Many people simply
don't desire to "go there." It's estimated that only 25-30% of men and women in the USA have
completed advance directives. There are numerous variables leading to our reluctance to strategy:
deficiency of knowledge, insufficient urgency, anxiety about dying and death, distrust of medical
systems, ethnic incompatibility, mental distress, and family dissension. However, if we fail to state
our tastes related to medical care and end-of-life care, we relinquish control and commonly unduly
weight family and friends. A distressing situation for all concerned.
Hence, we have to Plan for LIFE. Step one in the planning procedure would be to "know thyself."
Take some time . Look at these questions in relationship to your health care crisis or to advanced
age:
For example:
-- Physically energetic
-- Emotionally astute
-- Capable of communicating
What are your hopes? For example:
-- Stay at home
-- Be surrounded by friends and family
-- Retain a feeling of control
2. -- Be treated with dignity and respect
-- Experience well-handled symptoms and pain
What are your fears? For example:
-- Loss of control
-- Loss of relationships
-- Reduction of purpose and significance
-- Fiscal ruin
-- Being a weight
The second part of the planning process is critically important--discussing your Plan for LIFE with
friends and family. I can not stress this enough! Relatives and buddies must listen to your wishes
that are LIFE. Having THE dialog with loved ones affords the opportunity answer questions to
pronounce your preferences, and discuss matters. Additionally, your openness to "go there" may
encourage others to follow in your footsteps. A great thing really! Ask us about a few of the fantastic
online resources to assist in kick starting THE conversation.
Eventually, document your Plan for LIFE. It is necessary to find out the lawfully accepted and
required documentation as mandated. Seek legal counsel if desired.
If you are still reluctant to "go there," let me say yet another thing. Advance directives WILL NOT BE
all about YOU! Investing time and consideration to produce An Agenda for LIFE results in one of the
greatest gifts you could offer friends and your family. A well-conceived Strategy for LIFE will guide
and counsel those who care for you at the conclusion of the road --mitigating several of the
inescapable uncertainty and angst. For me, that's motivation enough to Strategy for LIFE! I expect it
inspires you as well.
When you have concerns or particular questions linked to your caregiving experience, I'd like to
hear from you. Until the following appointment, I wish you and yours innumerable approvals.
Private Home Care
