April is National Healthcare Decisions Month

Submitted by Hospice of Marion County

Making your healthcare wishes known is a win for everyone involved in your care. That’s why during National Healthcare Decisions Month, healthcare organizations across the country highlight the importance of having advance directives. April 16 is celebrated as National Healthcare Decisions Day.

This is a national program designed to inspire, educate and empower the public about the importance of advance care planning, which is why each year Hospice of Marion County obtains proclamations from the Marion County Board of Commissioners and the Ocala City Council recognizing the importance of planning ahead for the unexpected medical crisis.

Making your healthcare decisions a priority is important and what better time than during National Healthcare Decisions Month. It’s better to have the discussion sooner than later when it may be too late. Talking with your loved ones about what you want to happen should you not be able to speak for yourself and identifying who you want to speak for you is a gift that only you can provide. Having advance directives in place provide peace of mind and avoids burdening families with wondering what loved ones would have wanted.

Just as preparing a will is optimal when we are of sound mind and body, so is preparing for future healthcare needs. Having to make decisions for others is complicated, especially when that person can no longer speak for themselves. However, many seem to procrastinate, especially when it comes to talking about end of life matters as only about one third of Americans have completed one. It’s one of those topics most people would rather not discuss, but should to provide certainty that their medical wishes will be carried out.

What are advance directives? These are legal documents that include a living will or a durable power of attorney for healthcare, also known as a healthcare proxy. Either document allows you to give directions about your future medical care; think of it as a road map for your family and doctors. It’s your right to accept or refuse prolonged medical care if you have a serious, sometimes terminal illness. Advance directives can protect this right if you ever become mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate your wishes due to an injury or illness. By law, the decision belongs to the patient – make your wishes known to your family, healthcare providers and caregivers; it can be changed or updated at any time.

An advance directive can be as simple as a two-page Living Will or as lengthy as the Five Wishes, a detailed user-friendly booklet. In Florida, an advance directive requires neither an attorney nor a notary, just the writer’s signature and that of two witnesses.

In summary, advance directives can:
• protect your rights to make your own medical choices, especially if you’re unable to communicate;
• help families avoid the stress of making difficult decisions;
• assist physicians and caregivers by providing guidelines for your care; and
• limit life-prolonging measures when there’s little or no chance of recovery, if that’s your choice.

Advance directives are available to download at no charge on www.hospiceofmarion.com. Visit our website to learn more or call the Monarch Center for Hope & Healing at (352) 873-7456 if you would like assistance filling out your forms.