Give Your Loved Ones the Gift of Advanced Care Planning
April 16th marks National Healthcare Decision Day, a nationwide initiative that encourages individuals and families to have important, yet often difficult, conversations about medical care in the event a person becomes unable to advocate for themselves. While it may not be the easiest discussion, Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is vital in ensuring that healthcare decisions align with a patient's final wishes.
Advanced Care Planning allows a patient to outline their healthcare preferences and decisions ahead of time, ensuring that those wishes are followed if they ever lose the ability to communicate them. Whether it’s determining preferences for life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, or other medical decisions, having a clear plan in place offers peace of mind for both patients and their families.
Your Health’s Commitment to ACP
At Your Health, we take a proactive approach to Advanced Care Planning by discussing these important issues with patients early and often. From the moment new patients are seen, we integrate ACP into their care plan and continue the conversation as health conditions evolve. By doing so, we help ensure that patients’ healthcare preferences are clearly documented and understood.
Social workers and medical providers are key resources in helping patients navigate these conversations. They provide the support and guidance necessary to help patients understand the importance of clearly documenting their wishes, relieving family members of uncertainty and any anxiety when difficult decisions arise.
Helpful Resources for Starting the Conversation
Starting the conversation about Advanced Care Planning can be daunting, but there are helpful tools and resources available to assist. The Conversation Project offers valuable online resources to help guide these discussions with family members. Remember, the goal is not to put off these conversations but to have them early, so the patient’s wishes are documented and respected when the time comes.
Your Health’s Commitment to You
Your Health is proud to be a network of nearly 1,600 medical professionals providing in-office care along with in-home and telehealth visits to private residences, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Our team is here to support you in your healthcare journey, and that includes providing the tools and resources you need to make informed decisions about your care.
We encourage residents across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to use April 16th as a catalyst for taking the first step toward Advanced Care Planning. On National Healthcare Decision Day, take the opportunity to start this crucial conversation and make sure your healthcare wishes are known. It’s a simple, proactive step that can make all the difference when it matters most.