April 16th is National Health Care Decisions Day. In the past, this may have been an article you skimmed; however, due to the way our lives have been affected by COVID-19, we’re realizing how very quickly life can change in an instant. Families and young adults are realizing the importance of making end-of-life plans, taking the time to figure out how they want to be cared for and by whom if they can no longer speak for themselves.
National Health Care Decisions Day is about education. It’s a national effort to encourage everyone to learn about advance directives and understand how these tools are used to guide your care when you can no longer make decisions for yourself. Advance directives provide the opportunity for you to choose someone to oversee healthcare decisions on your behalf should you no longer be able to do so. The best time to think about this is now, before you face a health crisis.
If you do not have an advance directive in place, call VNA for a copy of Five Wishes. Five Wishes can serve as a legal document that outlines the type of care you’d like to receive in the event you cannot speak for yourself. Five Wishes also allows you to designate a healthcare surrogate who can advocate and make decisions on your behalf when you’re unable to do so. It is used to create a proactive plan of care, and, if your needs change, the document can be edited.
There are too many uncertainties in life, but having an advance directive in place will give you and your loved ones peace of mind. To request a copy of Five Wishes, call us at 772-567-5551.
