Advance Care Planning: A Loving Act
Over 32 years of working in this profession, I have experienced both the privilege and pain associated with helping clients navigate the end of life. My team and I make every effort to demonstrate to our clients our commitment to helping them journey through all seasons of life. And while it is never easy, we have seen enough to know how to advise clients encountering difficult circumstances and how to have conversations that are scary and uncomfortable for some. It is a responsibility that we do not take lightly and addressing those topics proactively helps us feel like we are doing all we can. Our hope is that sharing this will help you also to prepare and be there for those you care about most.
This month, I am sharing an article that Raymond James has published on the topic. In addition to having meaningful conversations with your loved ones, there are several documents that you should have in place:
- Living will
- Durable power of attorney for healthcare (healthcare proxy or surrogate)
- Do not resuscitate (DNR) order (IF this is your wish)
Below are a few excerpts from the article that summarize the rationale of advance care planning:
- At the heart of overseeing your family member’s care is respecting their choices regardless of your personal feelings.
- The goals of advance care planning are to respect individual patient autonomy, improve quality of care, and reduce overtreatment. Having advance directives in place ensures the patient’s orders are prioritized.
- The purpose of advance care planning is to be prepared to make decisions that align with your family member’s values.
By proactively engaging in end-of-life planning, individuals can gain confidence knowing that their healthcare choices will be honored, and their loved ones will be supported during challenging times.
Worthwhile – Advance Care Planning
-Gary Weiss, April 2025
