An Advance Healthcare Directive Can Make a Difficult Conversation a Little Bit Easier

Does your family know your preferences for end-of-life care in case of emergency? Are you sure? If you haven’t created an Advance Healthcare Directive or spoken to your loved ones specifically about this issue, then chances are they don’t know your wishes, no matter how close you believe you are.

Our firm understands that opening up a conversation about DNR directives or end-of-life care can be difficult and awkward. Thinking about your own death, or the death of someone you love is painful. But the arguments—and potentially lengthy court battles—that can occur between caring relatives when these issues are not discussed will be even more painful. If the tragic Terri Schiavo case taught us anything it should have taught us that a difficult conversation now can save our loved ones years of pain and hardship later on.

We may not be able to save you from a difficult conversation, but this article from ABC News might help you get the conversation started. The first suggestion is to put your wishes in writing and then mail a copy of those wishes to your loved ones or to your healthcare agent. The article suggests a resource workbook which can be found online, but an even better option would be to execute an Advance Healthcare Directive with your estate planning or elder law attorney.

Executing and Advance Healthcare Directive not only provides you with an opportunity to say to your loved ones “I want to talk about this;” it also ensures that there will be no legal obstacles if tragedy should strike and you are unable to make your own healthcare decisions.

Once your loved ones know your preferences for end-of-life care this opens the door for them to ask questions if they have any, and even perhaps express their own views and preferences. Your primary care physician should receive a copy of your Advance Healthcare Directive as well. Confirm that your physician will be able to honor and respect your wishes if and when the time comes.

For more information about Advance Healthcare Directives, or talking to your family and friends about end-of-life decisions, please contact our office.