National Healthcare Decisions Day: Encouraging Seniors to Plan Ahead

Do you have trouble discussing death,? You're far from alone. People are afraid to upset others and don't feel prepared to face their anxieties about dying.

However, these hard conversations are important for lots of reasons.

National Healthcare Decisions Day gives families an opportunity to discuss end-of-life wishes effectively. Read on to learn why it's an important day to remember.

The Basics of National Healthcare Decisions Day

Since talking about death is so difficult, National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is designed to give families a push.

Every April 16th, the Conversation Project hosts this opportunity to learn about why advance directives are important for seniors. They discuss:

• What future health directives should look like
• How to legally create a living will that outlines these directives
• Who the Healthcare Power of Attorney should be when carrying out their end-of-life wishes
• Whether the goal is to minimize pain and suffering or to live as long as possible
• What spiritual and religious rites should be overseen on their deathbed
• How they want to be lain to rest (cremation or burial)
• What kind of funeral they would like to have

NHDD has been happening since 2008, so facilitating these discussions is a well-oiled machine.

Events for Senior Medical Planning

Part of The Conversation Project's encouraging these discussions is hosting scheduled events across the country.

Healthcare professionals frequently host events that:

• Teach seniors about medical decision-making
• Outline the options available for end-of-life care
• Talk about how healthcare workers work with each Healthcare Power of Attorney to provide person-centered care to those transitioning to end-of-life stages

Lawyers will also hold events where they:

• Discuss how to designate a Healthcare Power of Attorney
• List the legal documents that people should have on file before their end-of-life care
• Talk about estate planning and how to draft a will

Sometimes, assisted living communities will also hold events. They do the following:

• Show compassion when confronting fears about death
• Help seniors plan for the future
• Have conversations about how to discuss death with families

Academic groups may also hold events to discuss physical and psychological processes that make death less scary. Churches and other spiritual institutions also may help to decrease fear by advising on how to maintain spiritual wellness during death.

The Conversation Project's website names every US healthcare venue as a flagstone for these hosted events. However, you and your loved ones may also be able to attend them at churches or college campuses.

What to Do on NHDD

Education and events are important, but so is taking action regarding end-of-life care.

NHDD provides a chance for seniors to learn how estate planning works. But if you're one of these older adults, NHDD is a great time to get your affairs in order and ensure that your wishes are upheld at the end of your life.

Contemplate Your Values

If you don't know what you want during the end-of-life stages, now is a good time to think about it. After all, no one knows what to expect or when. Being prepared is always a good idea.

Consider the following:

• How you can make your death easier for family members
• What assets you value and who you want them to go to
• How to fairly distribute assets to your spouse, children, and other loved ones
• Who you want making healthcare-related decisions for you when you cannot make them yourself
• Whether you would prefer to prolong your lifespan during the process of dying, even at the expense of more pain and suffering
• How you want to avoid suffering and drawn-out processes regarding death
• What kinds of treatments you would want your Healthcare Power of Attorney to consent to vs deny
• What you want your funeral or memorial service to look like
• Where you want to be laid to rest

Once you answer these questions, write your thoughts down. This makes them concrete and ensures that you thoroughly think them through.

Bringing this paper to family conversations also can remind you of what to say. It can stop you from forgoing important parts of the discussion.

Draft a Will

A living will, also known as an Advance Directive for a Natural Death, lists out your wishes for asset distribution and end-of-life care. Writing a living will is one of the most important parts of estate planning for several reasons, including:

• Distributing assets appropriately
• Outlining your wishes and ensuring your legacy
• Making sure loved ones are cared for in the future
• Preventing legal battles between your family members after you pass away

To draft a will, you will need to enlist a lawyer to help you make a legally binding document. Getting it notarized is also a good idea since it can prevent future disputes.

To make a will:

• List your assets comprehensively
• Identify your beneficiaries
• Write down who will inherit what assets
• Make sure that you consider digital assets like online bank accounts
• Choose an executor to carry out your will's instructions
• Work with an estate planning attorney in North Carolina to get personalized advice and a legally-sound document
• Draft the will with clear language
• State your wishes clearly and unambiguously

Designate a Healthcare Power of Attorney

Part of your will is selecting a Healthcare Power of Attorney. The HPoA makes medical decisions on your behalf when you're unable to do so.

You may experience:

• Coma
• Permanent loss of consciousness
• Dementia or other cognitive decline
• Communication barriers

In these instances, the HPoA will:

• See medical records
• Decide who can access those records
• Give permission for treatments, including medication and surgery
• Choose to decline treatments when you are unlikely to recover
• Choose where you get care and what physicians provide it

They also can decide what happens to your remains after you pass away.

Make sure to choose someone you completely trust, like a surviving spouse or an adult child.

Beyond End-of-Life Decisions: Enjoying the Golden Years

National Healthcare Decisions Day is a great time to discuss senior medical planning and advance directives. However, aging can be exciting and invigorating in an active senior living community.

At TerraBella Little Avenue, compassionate caregivers are excited to know residents on an individual level. We provide help with daily tasks and encourage a positive social environment for seniors.

Reach out to our team to schedule a tour of our stylish and comfortable community in Charlotte, NC!