BEGIN: ADVANCE CARE PLANNING
BEGIN making advance care planning decisions today! EDUCATE, PREPARE, COMMUNICATE, DOCUMENT, ACT, EMPOWER. Dont wait its time!
At any time in your life, you may be unable to communicate your healthcare choices because of an injury or serious illness. That’s why it’s important to make advance care planning decisions now. Having a plan will make it easier for you, your doctor, and your loved ones to ensure your wishes are honored.
The first step in making advance care planning decisions is to learn as much as you can. This will increase your knowledge about healthcare choices and the importance of advance care planning, and will also encourage communication with loved ones, caregivers, and healthcare professionals so everyone can share in that knowledge.
What is advance care planning?
Advance care planning is a process that enables you to plan your future healthcare. It provides direction to healthcare professionals when you are not able to make and/or communicate your own healthcare choices. Advance care planning is appropriate for adults at all stages of life, and can help reduce your stress and anxiety while improving your end-of-life care.
Why are advance care planning decisions important?
Advance care planning helps ensure your healthcare wishes at end-of-life are honored.
Wish: Nearly 80% of people say they would prefer to die at home.
Fact: Almost 75% of people dont die at home.
Fact: People without advance care planning are moved an average of three times in the last few weeks of life.
Fact: Having a Living Will is associated with decreased likelihood of dying in a hospital.
Fact: Less than one third of American adults have advance directives expressing their wishes.
Wish: About 80% of people say they dont want their life extended by machines.
Fact: The use of mechanical ventilation in the 90 days prior to death has increased in the last 15 years.
How do I begin?
Begin by learning more about the importance of advance care planning decisions. By downloading our Begin the Conversation Advance Care Planning Workbook you can begin the process today!