Who will make and communicate your medical decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself?
Many people don’t realize that Wisconsin and Michigan are not next-of-kin states. This means that spouses, adult children, parents of adult children, or other family members are not automatically authorized to make medical decisions for you. That’s why all adults need to complete an advance directive – a document that specifies who you choose to be your power of attorney for healthcare.
An advance directive allows you to choose who you want to make medical decisions for you if you’re not able to make them for yourself. It also enables you to specify your wishes regarding care facility placement, and the type of treatment you want or don’t want.
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day – the perfect time to complete an advance directive or to review your completed document and have conversations about your wishes.
Having an advance directive is a win-win – even if you live in a next-of-kin state, like Minnesota. Should the time ever come that you cannot make or communicate your own medical decisions, you will have identified who you want to make those decisions for you, and that person will know your wishes. They can be your voice. Research has shown that this reduces stress, guilt and questioning whether the right decisions were made. It can also prevent delays and costly legal expenses.
If you don’t have an advance directive that names your Power of Attorney for Healthcare, the case may go to court, which can delay treatment decisions and cost thousands of dollars. In addition, if your loved ones don’t agree on your care plan, it can cause a lot of stress.
When choosing a healthcare agent or advocate, you need to consider who will honor your wishes, even if they don’t agree with them. Who can handle stress and will be a good advocate for you? As life changes, a new document should be completed to reflect your current choices, values and wishes.
Completing an advance directive may be easy for some and difficult for others. Aspirus offers free assistance with trained facilitators either in person, via phone or virtually.
We go through the form and answer your questions. We can help you think about scenarios you may not have thought about and discuss what your wishes would be. The document is then scanned into your medical record, you keep the original, and we can make copies for you at no charge.
Advance care planning kits are available in our clinics and hospitals and at aspirus.org/advance-directives. You may also request a kit be mailed to you.
Julie Barge is an advance care planning coordinator with Aspirus Health.
