Talking about end-of-life planning and preferences is something no one wants to do. While 90% of people believe talking about end-of-life care with their loved ones is important, only 27% have actually done so. But if your health declines and you can no longer make your wishes known, it’s critical that others are aware of your preferences and can advocate for you.
The purpose of having these difficult conversations is to “provide a shared understanding of what matters most to you and your loved ones,” says Patty Webster, advisor for community engagement for The Conversation Project. The Conversation Project is a nonprofit organization and global initiative created to encourage discussing end-of-life wishes with the people you love before it’s too late.
The first step toward having these necessary conversations is knowing what issues to address. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few topics to consider.
Determine Who You Want To Be Your Advocate
It’s a good idea to inform a loved one about your end-of-life care plan, but having written documents makes your preferences even more secure, especially if something were to happen to the person you’ve designated. A health care proxy is a legally binding document that appoints someone you trust to make healthcare decisions for you. If you do set up a health care proxy, make sure you, your attorney and your medical providers all have a copy.
Identify Your End-of-Life Planning Priorities
It’s not always possible to predict every situation that could arise, but by talking more generally about your values and goals, you can start to construct a better picture of your end of life wishes for your family, healthcare providers and yourself. What’s important to you when it comes to spending your remaining time, particularly after a health crisis?
Be As Specific As Possible
You may have thought about some end-of-life scenarios before, but now it’s time to dig into the details. If you don’t want to be kept alive artificially, at what point would you want life-prolonging treatment to end? If you don’t want to suffer through a health condition, what does suffering mean to you? Other ways to start a conversation about end of life include:
- How much you as a patient want to know about your condition and the speed at which it’s progressing.
- How much information doctors should share with your family.
- Where you want to spend your final days of life.
- The importance of your quality of life when getting treatment.
- Any treatments you want to avoid.
You don’t necessarily have to provide an answer to every question. Each scenario may require further discussion, but by starting the dialogue, you can begin to think about the various options.
Fill Out Documentation for Any Medical Decisions
Certain end-of-life planning requires legal documentation, such as a Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) which tells emergency responders not to take action if your heart stops beating, or Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) which covers decisions about medical interventions, feeding tubes and CPR. If you want to be an organ donor, this will also require you to fill out an organ donation card or have your choice listed on your driver’s license.
Evaluate Your Finances
End-of-life planning and finances go hand in hand. If you don’t already have a will that specifies how your assets will be distributed, it’s not too late to consider writing one or seeking out a professional to help create your will. Similarly, a living trust is a document that details how the assets from a trust will be distributed after your death. Consider having these documents and financial conversations along with end of life planning discussions.
Finally, having an active life insurance policy helps cover funeral costs and any debts you leave behind, preventing any of these costs from burdening your loved ones. The death benefit can also be used to leave an inheritance, donate to meaningful causes or cover living expenses for your beneficiaries. If you don’t yet have life insurance coverage, Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company can help you obtain an affordable life insurance policy that meets your needs and start some of those difficult conversations. Pre-approval takes only a few minutes, and most plans don’t require a medical exam. You can get a free quote today or contact an Americo Senior Life agent to get started.