It’s a topic many of us may prefer not to ponder: What would be your health care wishes if you were unable to speak for yourself?
Contemplating the unthinkable may be especially difficult for young people and their loved ones. However, putting your health care wishes in writing is essential for everyone over the age of 18.
In 2017, health policy journal Health Affairs reported that only around 36% of adults had completed advance care planning. It further stated that the treatments people would choose to receive often don’t align with those they do receive at the end of life.
“Completing advance care planning is crucial for all adults,” says Leslie Koffke, an Advance Care Planning Social Worker with ThedaCare. “This process can lead to peace of mind for all involved.”
National Health Care Decisions Day in April offers an ideal time to complete the Advance Care Planning (ACP) process. Before do so, contemplate your wishes. Then take it a step further and discuss them with your loved ones, Koffke says.
What’s at Stake
Around half of ThedaCare patients 65 older have completed ACP, also often called an advanced directive. That percentage is much lower for younger patients.
Koffke again emphasizes that everyone over the age of 18 should complete ACP. That includes young adults heading off to college or into the workforce.
“It’s important to understand that parents and siblings cannot automatically make health care decisions for you,” Koffke says.
Without the proper documentation in place, parents or other family members would need to take extra steps in the event of an accident or an emergency. That could include hiring an attorney and going to court to get permission to make decisions. That process take would time and money, all during an already-difficult time.
ACP 101
“Completing an advance directive is especially important for Wisconsinites, as we are not a next-of-kin state,” Koffke says. “That means your family cannot make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity to speak for yourself, unless it is in writing.”
ACP includes completing a Power of Attorney for Health Care form (POA-HC). This form allows you to identify a health care agent who will make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. You can also choose the kind of care you would want to receive in the event that you become unable to speak for yourself.
ACP Services Through ThedaCare
ThedaCare offers free ACP appointments with trained facilitators. These individuals will help you fill out the documents and provide witnesses.
Schedule an appointment online at one of nine locations throughout northeast and central Wisconsin. You can also call (920) 454-2969 to schedule or speak to an ACP specialist.
In addition, on the third Thursday of every month, Encircle Health offers a free ACP class from 5 to 6:30 p.m. No registration is necessary.
Completing ACP on Your Own
You may also choose to complete ACP on your own. You do not need an attorney to do so. First, discuss your health care wishes with your loved ones and health care provider. Second, complete a POA-HC document.
To complete your POA-HC, you’ll need the signature of two witnesses. Witnesses cannot be family members, heirs to your estate, or nurses or doctors who care for you. Examples of witnesses include social workers, chaplains, and volunteers in a health care setting.
Once you fill out the POA-HC, you’ll need to add it to your electronic health record. You can do this through one of two ways:
- Log in to my MyThedaCare. Under Medical Record, select Advance Care Planning/Advance Directives to upload your document.
- Provide a copy of your POA-HC to your physician’s office, and they can add it your health record.
For additional ACP help and resources, visit the Fox Valley Advance Care Planning Partnership.
Finally, Koffke reminds everyone to keep the ACP conversation going.
“Health care wishes change throughout ages and stages of our lives,” she says. “Make sure to talk to your loved ones if your wishes change and update your POA-HC as necessary.”
