Planning Ahead: Planning Ahead: Communicating End-of-Communicating End-of-Life WishesLife Wishes• This presentation is intended as a

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Planning Ahead: Planning Ahead: Communicating Communicating End-of-Life WishesEnd-of-Life Wishes

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PurposePurpose

• Discover the value of talking about your end-of-life wishes

• Learn how to communicate your end-of-life wishes

• Use strategies to clarify and express your wishes

• Help others clarify and express their wishes

Why is talking so Why is talking so importantimportant??

• Conversations before the ‘crisis’ allow time for honest discussion, reflection and planning

• Opportunity to discover important information about yourself and your loved ones

• Most important gift you can give to prepare for end of life

Why is talking so Why is talking so hardhard??

• How do you feel about choices and care around the end of life?

• What do you want?

• What are you worried about?

• Who will make your decisions for you if you are unable?

Interesting to note…Interesting to note…

• Most Americans – 88 percent – feel comfortable discussing issues relating to death and dying*

• Yet…how many of you have had a discussion with your family, a friend, your doctor, or a clergy about YOUR end-of-life wishes?

* National Survey on Death, Dying, and Hospice Care in America, VITAS Innovative Healthcare, 2004

Conversation Conversation TriggersTriggers• Family gatherings• Death of friend or colleague• Newspaper & magazine articles• Movies & books• Sermons• TV talk shows• Financial planning• Medical checkups

How To CommunicateHow To Communicate

• Step 1: Introduce the conversation

• Step 2: Explore personal beliefs and values

• Step 3: Define end-of-life wishes

• Step 4: Document wishes

Step 1: Introduce Step 1: Introduce the Conversationthe Conversation

• Timing is everything!

• Private, comfortable place

• Begin with a conversation trigger

• Importance of expressing end-of-life wishes

Step 2: Explore Step 2: Explore Personal Beliefs and Personal Beliefs and ValuesValues• Engage in a conversation about

beliefs and values:- Happiness- Challenging Times- Spirituality- Family/Growing Up- Personal Values- Lifetime Legacies

Step 3: Define End-Step 3: Define End-of-Life Wishesof-Life Wishes

• Beliefs– How do you want to prepare for death?– What would help you cope?

• Choices– Where do you want to spend your last

days?– Who do you want near you?– What kind of medical care do you want?

Step 4: Document Step 4: Document WishesWishes

• Complete your Advance Directives

- Living Will

- Health Care Power of Attorney

• Inform others

- Health care professionals, physician

- Family members, friends, self

Resources in Our Resources in Our CommunityCommunity

www.caringinfo.orgwww.caringinfo.org800.658.8898800.658.8898

FREE Resources FREE Resources Available Available from from Caring Caring ConnectionsConnections

• State-specific advance directives• ‘Planning Ahead’ Web information• Brochures to download or order:

– Conversations Before the Crisis – Ask Tough Questions– End-of-Life Decisions– Communicating End-of-Life Wishes– You Have Filled Out Your Advance

Directive… Now What?

It’s About How You It’s About How You LIVE!LIVE!

LLearn about your options, choices and decisions

IImplement your advance directive plans

VVoice your end-of-life wishes

EEngage others to talk about their wishes