When families are together, take time to discuss advance health care directives

The topic families avoid over holiday dinners or while openingpresents; how Mom and Dad should be cared for when they can no longercare for themselves. “We plan for so many things in our lives;holidays, weddings, careers, families, retirement, travel, andfinancial security, yet we do not plan for our future healthcare, orfor life after illness or injury,” says Paula Harder Kenemore, anational expert on aging and caregiver issues, and author of therecently released book, My Life, My Care, My Way, My Advance PersonalCare Plan. 

“Ten minutes before sitting down to open presents, or just as Mombegins to carve the holiday turkey with a twelve inch electric knifemay not be the best time to approach the subject,” Kenemore adds. “Planyour conversation well after the holiday dinner, the opening ofpresents, or the football game, but before anyone heads home.” It isimportant that all family members be included in this conversation, soeveryone hears the same thing. If the whole family is not able toattend, consider video or audio recording the conversation. Informingthe whole family in advance of the meeting gives everyone a chance tothink about it, write down their own concerns, and prepare emotionallyfor a topic that may be difficult for them. For a free list of what totalk about from both the parent’s and children’s perspective, visit Lake Effect Media.
   
Having this future healthcare conversation is the first step. Oncefamilies are clear on the care and decisions a family member has made,the next step is to get those wishes in writing. “When families areaware of a loved ones wishes, it helps, but it is not enough to keepdifficult healthcare decisions out of the legal system and out of themedia spotlight, as we saw with Terri Schiavo,” warns Kenemore. MyLife, My Care, My Way allows an individual to get their wishes inwriting.

Source/more:  EMedia-Wire, http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/12/emw575415.htm