Advance Care Planning
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Helping You Find Peace of Mind
We know it’s not easy to have this conversation, but AtlantiCare is here to guide you through every step. Our certified facilitators will sit down with you, one-on-one, to outline your personal preferences, values
You’re used to being in control of your healthcare decisions. But what if a medical crisis left you unable to communicate your wishes for care?
Advance care planning clearly defines your choices for treatment, even if you can longer speak for yourself. It’s also the best thing you can do for your family—relieving the burden of making difficult decisions for you, be it during an emergency or at end of life.
Three Key Decisions to Make
- Identifying your decision maker - Who will be your spokesperson if you are unable to make decisions for yourself (referred to as healthcare proxy, healthcare agent)? This should be someone that can handle stressful situations and agree to execute your wishes, even if they do not agree with them.
- Personal Beliefs - Do you have any beliefs (cultural, religious, spiritual) that would influence your decisions for care?
- Choice for Care: Aggressive Care vs. Comfort Measures - If doctors believed you would not be able to regain the ability to know who you are or who you were with, would you want to receive all possible care to keep you alive or would you want to be kept comfortable. There is no wrong or right answer- depends on your beliefs/preferences.
Learn more below. Then call 1-888-569-1000 or email us to start planning your healthcare future today.
Ready to get started? Download these advance care planning forms.
An advance directive is a written legal document. It specifies the types of medical treatment you wish to receive, if any, in circumstances when you're unable to communicate with medical providers and loved ones. This could be the result of disease or sudden injury—no matter how old you are.
Questions to consider include:
- Do I want aggressive medical treatment?
- Do I prefer just to be comfortable?
- What has meaning for me in those circumstances?
An important part of your directive is designating your healthcare spokesperson (also called "agent" or "proxy"). This person would speak on your behalf if you become unable to speak for yourself, making sure your healthcare wishes are known and followed. Your proxy might be a family member, friend or someone in your social or spiritual community. The only legal requirements are that your proxy is at least 18 years old and not your doctor or any employee of AtlantiCare.
A common misbelief is that only older or very sick people need
For this reason, we strongly encourage all adults 18 and older to prepare an advance directive and select a healthcare proxy (someone to communicate your wishes when you’re unable to). With your treatment preferences clearly established in writing, your medical team will know exactly what care to provide should you ever become critically injured or unable to communicate.
Advance care planning also makes a time of uncertainty and urgency less stressful for those closest to you. They’ll have greater peace of mind knowing your wishes are being carried out as you intended.
Advance care planning is a personal process, but it’s important to clearly express your wishes to those who matter most.
Aside from ensuring your preferences are respected, it creates a shared understanding and may bring you even closer to your loved ones. It also frees them from unnecessary stress and worries about what to do in difficult circumstances.
The caring facilitators at AtlantiCare can provide personalized coaching to help you prepare for your talk. Also, be sure to download this helpful conversation starter kit (en español).
Think of your advance directive
We recommend you review your advance care plan on a regular basis to ensure your healthcare providers and loved ones have up-to-date information about your personal wishes for care.
Discuss changes with your primary care provider(s) or one of our certified facilitators. They can meet with you to help you update your treatment choices or name a different person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Keep the original document for yourself in a safe place. Copies should be given to:
- Your regular medical care provider(s), such as your primary care physician, local hospital or palliative care team
- Your family attorney, if you have one
- The healthcare spokesperson (proxy) you named as part of your advanced care planning
- Anyone else who might need to become involved in your treatment decisions