Why You Need an Advance Directive (Before You Think You Do)
National Healthcare Decisions Day – April 16
Healthcare decisions are certainly important enough to have their own special day.
The sad and unfortunate thing is that most of us don’t even think about them—or realize there are decisions to be made.
Generally, we don’t make decisions about our health (let alone how we want to face the end of our life) until we need to. And really, that is too late.
When we don’t need to make decisions, we can think clearly—without strong emotions involved.
But when something is seriously wrong, decisions are often made with fear and a lack of clarity that often affects the choices we make.
Another important part of planning ahead is sharing your wishes with others—your physician, your family, and your possible caregivers.
What good are our wishes if no one who will be involved knows them?
Everyone—from age 18 on— should have an advance directive and assign a Durable Medical Power of Attorney to someone they trust.
Someone who can speak for them if they cannot speak for themselves.
If we don’t put our wishes in writing—and talk about them—others will make decisions on our behalf.
And those decisions may not reflect what matters most to us.
National Healthcare Decisions Day is more than a reminder.
For many, it introduces an important life tool they may not even know exists.
Planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give the people who will care for you.
Something more...
I was wearing my t-shirt on Monday when I stopped to get my favorite chai-latte.
The woman taking my order asked me to tell her more about it. Before I knew it the barista joined in... then the woman behind me.
It reminded me how much people want to have these conversations—they just don’t always know how to begin.
Sometimes, all it takes is a message someone sees.
If you’d like to gently open that door, these shirts were created to help start the conversation.
They’re available at a reduced price this week in honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day.
