Six Reasons Talking About What You Want is The Best Thing You Can Do Today
On this National Healthcare Decisions Day, a reminder that you have the power to make your own healthcare decisions — today and everyday.
April 16, 2019
Recognized annually on April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as an important reminder to give thoughtful consideration to your future healthcare needs.
The goals of this grassroots movement are twofold:
- To encourage communities and care providers to make resources available to everyone that guide the advance care planning process.
- To prompt individuals to consider the kind of care they would want if or when they’re no longer able to make decisions for themselves, and to inspire them to share these thoughts with loved ones.
What we find most inspiring about this movement’s message is its universality. We all have been and will continue to be consumers of care. Setting aside time for healthcare planning, from choosing a healthcare power of attorney to writing a will, helps us become better advocates for ourselves and our loved ones as we navigate care decisions throughout our lives.
Our founder, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, recently shared why end-of-life care planning should become a standard part of our wellness routine in this piece.
Advance care planning can enlighten us to the values and beliefs that are most important to us. It helps us determine what quality of life means to us and ensures that the care we eventually receive aligns with our individual values.
Therefore, we believe that the single best thing we can do for both ourselves and our loved ones is to have the courage to contemplate and express our care wishes, no matter what stage of life we’re at.
Six Reasons to Make Advance Care Decisions Today
Reason #1: Love
Letting loved ones know what you want on your behalf is the greatest example of love.
Reason #2: Control
Have a say over who makes decisions for you if you can’t do so yourself.
Reason #3: Rights
Being involved in decisions about your care and preferences is a right.
Reason #4: Peace
Knowing what you want gives you peace of mind and gives others a sense of relief.
Reason #5: Honor
Asking loved ones about their values and preferences is how we can best honor them.
Reason #6: Speak
When you speak up, doctors can better understand and provide the care that’s right for you, no matter your stage of life.
We hope these reasons reaffirm why taking ownership of your healthcare decisions today will matter for everyone tomorrow.
Planning and preparing for care can be uncomfortable because it requires us to confront our own mortality and consider the fact that we may someday be sick and require care. Recognizing our shared mortality can help all of us develop deeper relationships with one another and empower each of us to make authentic decisions that contribute to a life well lived.
While National Healthcare Decisions Day comes around once a year, you have so many reasons to have a conversation with the people you love about what matters most to you.
How are you going to start today?
