Advance Care Planning

One Conversation Can Make All the Difference

It’s not easy to talk about unexpected illness or a medical crisis. However, it is one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones. It isn’t just about filling out forms. It’s about talking to loved ones about what you want in case of an emergency or unexpected illness. If you suddenly became unable to communicate, your family members would be asked to make numerous medical care decisions for you. Would they know what you want? Advance Care Planning can help you start this process.

What Are the Goals of Advance Care Planning?

Advance Care Planning involves learning about the various types of decisions that might need to be made if a medical emergency occurs, if you become so sick that you are unable to tell us what your goals are, or if you are nearing the end of your life. Everyone is encouraged to participate in Advance Care Planning and to choose a person who will be able to voice your goals for living well ONLY if you are unable to voice them yourself. This person is referred to as your patient advocate. Because your goals are likely to change over time, this conversation should happen at different stages in your life.

We Are Here to Help

Give your loved ones the gift of knowing what your wishes are and attend one of our free workshops.

To see a list of workshops please visit: munsonhealthcare.org/ACP.

During the workshops you will be able to:

• Consider future healthcare decisions and treatment preferences
• Learn how to effectively communicate healthcare choices by describing what is important and what personal values influence decision-making
• Understand code status and out of hospital DNR orders

It’s important to have these conversations now. Whether you are 25 or 95, discuss your decisions with the people in your inner circle. Too often these issues aren’t addressed until you are admitted to a hospital with a life-threatening situation.

In that event, you may not have the capacity to make your own decisions, and the choices will fall on the shoulders of your distressed family members. Families in this kind of situation tell us they feel like they are playing a guessing game and are unprepared to speak for you.

Munson Healthcare has an Advanced Medical Directive document (munsonhealthcare.org/acp) that is specifically adapted to meet the legal requirements of the State of Michigan. If you have questions about completing an Advance Medical Directive, please contact Munson’s Advance Care Planning at 231-935-6176 or email advancecareplanning@mhc.net.

Whether you use the form that Munson Healthcare supplies or one prepared by your own attorney, it can be helpful to your patient advocate if you put some of your wishes in your own words.

Advance Care Planning has end-of-life position papers from most major religions. If your faith is important to you, talk to your priest, pastor, rabbi, or other spiritual leader to make sure you know what your faith says about this important decision. Advance Care Planning has many simple tools that can help you describe your values. Please call us if you need assistance in getting started.