Advance Care Planning Resources

So what is advance care planning? In a nutshell it is planning for your future health care preferences. Advance care planning documents are the product of the conversations people have about those future preferences.

The Conversation

Talking about what matters most in relationship to your health care starts with a conversation. Sometimes having a place to start can be helpful.

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Advance Care Planning Documents

Advance care planning documents can be a helpful, and sometimes a legal, way to share your health care preferences with your family, friends and medical providers.

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Estate Planning

The term "getting your affairs in order" is something that can be very helpful to those who survive you. It can also ensure your assets go to who you want and create a smooth process for those people after you die.

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The conversation

If you, or your loved one, regardless of age, become very sick, no longer able to speak for yourself, do you have a strong sense what quality of life means to you or your loved one?
If faced with life changing decisions do you have a sense of what matters most?
Do you know what you or your loved one would be willing to endure for more time?

Answering no to any of these questions is not uncommon. Most people avoid talking about what they would want in serious medical situations. The topic is hard to think about, uncomfortable and something even when willing to consider it gets pushed off until it's too late.

The good news is there are lots of resources out there to help support you or your loved one start having some important conversations.

The Conversation Project

A public engagement initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). With a goal to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. They offer various free conversation guides to help initiate the process.

Check out their website

Free Conversation Starter Guide

Advance Care Planning Documents

After you have started thinking about your health care preferences and wishes the next important step is sharing that information in the proper documents. There are two major documents, an advance directive and a POLST. Check out the resources below to learn the difference between the two documents.

What's an advance directive vs a POLST

Step 1. Learn the basics

Step 2. Check out the advance directive and supplemental documents

Salem Health Advance Directive Explanation Booklet

Salem Health Advance Directive Planner (Workbook)

Advance Directive in 13 languages

Step 3. Learn more about CPR and intubation and a POLST

Step 4. If interested in a POLST, and appropriate make an appointment with your health care provider to discuss further

Step 5. Talk with your support people and complete the appropriate documents, then share with your decision-makers and health care providers

Estate Planning Resources

Further information coming soon.

Need help?

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