Advance Care Planning: Setting Goals for Future Care
 
It may be hard to think about the health care you would want if you weren’t able to communicate with your doctors or family members. But making plans for your future care can help.
 
Advance care planning helps you to be sure that your wishes are known and followed. This protects both you and your family from stress and fear if there’s an unexpected change in your health. It involves three major steps:
 
- Having in-depth talks with doctors, family and close friends about your wishes for your care
- Making thoughtful decisions about the types of care to have or not have
- Writing down your choices and creating an advance directive
 
It’s never too early to start planning. Talk with your doctor at your next visit about where you want to spend your last days, who will make health care decisions if you are unable to, and any concerns you have about your treatment and care.
 
National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16. This is a great reminder to begin planning or to look at goals you’ve already set to make sure they’re still right for you. If you need help getting started, visit www.peopleshealth.com/advancecareplanning.