How to Approach Advance Care Planning

A guide to organizing your medical preferences and legal documentation to ensure your healthcare choices are understood and respected.

1. Reflecting on Your Values. Before drafting formal documents, many people begin by considering what 'quality of life' means to them personally. This might involve reflecting on how you would want to balance comfort, longevity, and independence in various health scenarios. Discussing these values with family members or trusted friends can help them understand your perspective, which is often more useful than trying to predict every specific medical outcome. Some families find it helpful to use conversation starter guides, which provide prompts to help articulate preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and the environment in which you would prefer to receive care.
2. Formalizing Your Wishes. Advance care planning generally involves two primary legal tools: a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare. A living will outlines the types of medical treatments you would or would not want in specific circumstances, such as terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness. A healthcare proxy, or durable power of attorney for healthcare, designates a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. Because laws regarding these documents vary significantly by region, it is common practice to consult with an elder-law attorney. They can ensure your documents are legally binding and correctly drafted to reflect your specific intentions.
3. Communicating the Plan. Once your documents are finalized, the most important step is ensuring that your healthcare proxy, family members, and primary care physician have copies. Many people also choose to keep a digital copy in a secure, accessible location. It is helpful to treat this as a living plan, reviewing it periodically or whenever there is a significant change in your health status or personal circumstances.