Imagine making one of the most critical decisions in a person's life with no input from that person. That is the reality people face daily in hospitals across the US when loved ones fail to make their healthcare wishes known. When a person experiences a health crisis and can no longer direct their care, a family member or spouse is thrust into making those decisions and, in effect, has to guess about their loved ones' future care options.
Taking the simple steps to document your wishes is not a complicated ordeal, and the most logical place to start a conversation is with your healthcare provider. A provider who sees a patient regularly and understands their healthcare issues is an excellent resource for offering helpful advice. Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is rarely one conversation or a single decision. People living with chronic illnesses evolve, and attitudes and desires can change over time. Having ongoing discussions with a healthcare provider is the best way for patients to keep their choices up-to-date and adequately documented.
South Carolina House Calls (SCHC) proactively approaches ACP by making these conversations a routine part of their healthcare offering for new and existing patients. Providers and social workers work hand-in-hand to help patients better understand the process and the importance of documenting their wishes, thereby relieving their family members from worry and anxiety.
SC House Calls is a network of nearly 250 medical professionals providing In-home medical house calls and Telehealth visits to Private Residences, Assisted Living Communities, and Skilled Nursing Facilities. SC House Calls serves all 46 Counties of South Carolina. New patient registration, appointments, and
24-7 access to medical professionals is available through its Center for Telehealth @ 800-491-0909
