By Lauren Gruber
As we age, health care and quality of life become more important. Making an advance care plan enables patients to consider their health care options, provides directions for caregivers and gives patients as much control as possible during end-of-life.
National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th, which seeks to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers on the importance of health planning, is a prime opportunity to consider enrolling in an advance care plan.
Identifying the right caregiving plans may seem daunting at first, but it’s important that patients solidify an advance care plan for the security and peace of mind of themselves and their loved ones.
Here are three ways why choosing an advance care plan through the VNA can empower patients to ensure the best care possible during their health care journey:
1. Build a system of support for all patient health needs.
Advance care planning is essential for anyone, but especially for those experiencing a difficult diagnosis and for those who find it difficult to talk about their end-of-life needs. However, advance care planning may often feel confusing to many people who are unsure where to start.
Luckily, the VNA provides the education and support needed to understand everything they need to know throughout the entire planning process. A nurse practitioner and licensed clinical social worker meet with patients at their homes to evaluate their health needs and assist in educating patients and loved ones on available services and options that may be available to them. Patients can rest assured that the VNA’s Advance Care Planning team provides a planning experience that is as seamless and easy to understand.
2. Maintain freedom when choosing a personalized advance care plan.
When it comes to planning for the final stages of life, it’s important that patients have control and feel confident their wishes will be honored. Advance care planning offers freedom of choice and active participation in optimizing a patient’s care routine. Health planning is also essential for any patient dealing with a disease or injury to understand the full scope of their healthcare goals and make proactive decisions ahead of hospice or end-of-life care. The VNA also offers an Individualized Advance Care Plan, which is free to download online and helps patients personalize their care plan or initiate conversations with physicians and family members.
3. Secure the future for patients and loved ones.
Advance care planning allows patients to plan proactively and feel more secure in their health care options. The Advance Care Planning team discusses care goals with patients and ensures that everyone understands every available option during end-of-life or hospice care. In addition to identifying their goals, the team helps plan advance directives for patients, which outline the type of care a patient expects to receive if they are unable to speak.
Additionally, the VNA’s Five Wishes® platform, a user-friendly legal document template written in everyday language, helps patients officially plan, document and communicate how they hope to be cared for in the event of serious or terminal illness. This critical step allows family and caregivers to understand exactly what the patient wants. It also helps patients feel secure in expressing their desires for medical and legal matters, along with personal and spiritual concerns. The platform also ensures patients meet legal requirements for an advance directive in 42 states.
Empowering patients should always be a priority during advance care planning. Understanding the process and how it can help patients and caregivers make the best decisions in the last stages of a patient’s life can help them transition with dignity in a comfortable and supportive environment that benefits everyone.