Life has a curious way of unfolding—unexpected, unscripted, and at times, unrelenting. Amid all of life’s uncertainties, one thing you can control is how your care is handled should the day come when you can no longer speak for yourself. That’s the heart of advance care planning. At Partners In Care, this isn’t just paperwork—it’s a deeply human act of empowerment, compassion, and foresight.
Let’s explore how this process becomes not just a plan but a gift to yourself and those who love you.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Advance care planning is a conscious, and at times emotional, process where you reflect on what matters most when it comes to your health and personal dignity. It’s a framework that ensures your own decisions about medical care align with your values, priorities, and desired quality of life, especially during times when you might not be able to communicate clearly.
This planning goes beyond documents—it should be a dialogue between you and those you care about. It’s the assurance that when you’re unable to speak, your values guide the care you receive. The National Institute on Aging emphasizes that advance care planning enhances not only the quality of care but also reduces the emotional strain on families during critical moments.
Think of it as laying down emotional and medical guardrails—making your path forward more stable for both you and those who will walk alongside you.
Types of Advance Care Plans
Advance care planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It’s a layered and personal process. There are several types of plans, each serving a unique purpose and suited to different life stages or health conditions.
- Living Will: This document outlines which life-sustaining treatments you would or would not want for your medical condition — such as mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It’s especially helpful in situations involving terminal illness or unconsciousness.
- Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: Also known as a healthcare proxy, this names someone you trust to be your voice about treatments you receive and guide your care on your behalf you are no longer able to do so. This surrogate decision maker becomes your voice in the medical system, so choosing someone who understands and can support your values is critical.
- POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): Designed for people with advanced illness or frailty, POLST forms turn your preferences into medical orders. This form is completed in consultation with a healthcare provider and stays with you across care settings—home, hospital, or hospice. In Oregon we have a statewide registry where a copy of your POLST is stored so your wishes can be communicated when you do not have your form with you.
- Advance Directive: This umbrella term often includes both the living will and healthcare proxy, depending on state definitions. An advance directive form is the foundation of your plan and legally binding in many states.
Partners In Care offers guidance to help you discern which of these documents you need and when they are best completed.
What are Advance Directives?
Advance directives are the cornerstone of your care roadmap. These legally binding documents with two key parts:
- Living Will – This legal document allows you to spell out the kinds of medical treatments you would or would not be willing to endure.
- Healthcare Proxy – An appointed, trusted individual the medical team will look to in making decisions about your healthcare when you cannot speak for yourself.
Each state—including Oregon—has its own advance directive forms and legal nuances. Thankfully, organizations like the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and local advocates like Partners In Care are here to help you navigate these issues.
Advance directives speak when you can’t, and they carry legal weight that medical professionals and institutions are obliged to respect.
Benefits of an Advance Care Plan
The true value of an advance care plan isn’t measured in paperwork—it’s measured in peace of mind, alignment, and emotional relief for your family members and loved ones.
- Protects Your Wishes: Medical emergencies can unfold rapidly. An advance care plan ensures that you receive treatment that matches your philosophy, not default clinical practices.
- Lifts the Burden from Loved Ones: Making urgent decisions under pressure can be very difficult and at times heart-wrenching. Clearly documenting your preferences in advance can avoid significant stress placed on those you love.
- Reduces Unwanted Interventions: Many people wish to avoid invasive procedures that may compromise dignity or comfort when we are critically ill and unlikely to make a recovery acceptable to our values.
- Improves End-of-Life Care: According to the National Council on Aging, patients with documented care plans experience more compassionate, coordinated care in their final months of life.
Advance care planning isn’t just preparation—it’s protection. It’s empowerment. It’s one of the most meaningful conversations you can have.
Steps to Creating an Advance Care Plan
While this journey may feel daunting, it can be broken into digestible, human steps. You don’t have to do everything at once—but you do need to begin.
- Reflect: Spend time thinking about what quality of life means to you. Consider your beliefs about medical intervention, comfort, independence, and dignity.
- Discuss: Talk with loved ones. Help them understand your thinking. The more they appreciate your values, the easier it will be for them to support your wishes.
- Choose a Healthcare Proxy: Pick someone who not only cares about you but also has the emotional clarity to make difficult healthcare decisions. Talk to them about your expectations and healthcare wishes.
- Document Everything: Use the State of Oregon’s official forms. Partners In Care can help ensure the documentation is accurate and reflective of your preferences.
- Share Widely: Give copies to your proxy, family, and all healthcare providers. Store a digital copy and update your electronic medical records when possible.
- Review Annually or After Major Changes: Health status, relationships, and personal beliefs can evolve. Revisit your documents regularly to keep them relevant.
FAQ: Your Advance Care Planning Questions Answered
What happens if you do not have an advance directive?
Without an advance directive, decisions about your future medical care will fall to others—often next of kin or court-appointed guardians. They may not know your values or treatment preferences, and their decisions might not align with what you would have wanted. This can create emotional distress and conflict within families.
Will an advance directive guarantee your wishes are followed?
While legally binding, an advance directive works best when clearly written, regularly updated, and shared with relevant parties. Medical staff must honor the medical decisions within the scope of state laws. Having conversations with your medical team and surrogate decision maker further strengthens the likelihood your wishes are upheld.
What types of advance care planning can you do?
Advance care planning includes creating a living will, appointing a healthcare proxy, completing a POLST form, and discussing your values with family and providers. It’s a multi-layered approach that reflects your voice about treatment decisions through conversations and documents.
Is advance care planning only for seniors or people with serious illnesses?
No. Advance care planning is for every adult. Accidents and medical emergencies can strike at any age. Planning ahead ensures that your choices—not someone else’s—guide your care.
What if I change my mind later?
You can revise your advance care plan at any time. Life circumstances, health status, and relationships evolve. Just remember to update the necessary documents and inform everyone involved of the changes.
Do I need a lawyer to complete advance directives?
Not in most cases. In Oregon, for instance, a lawyer isn’t required. Advance directive documents need your signature and witnesses, but guidance from a knowledgeable healthcare provider—like those at Partners In Care—can help ensure clarity and accuracy.
How do I start conversations with my family?
Begin gently. You might say, “I’ve been thinking about what kind of care I’d want if something unexpected happened. Can we talk about it?” Approach the conversation with love, patience, and a focus on peace—not fear.
Can Partners In Care help with my planning?
Absolutely. Partners In Care offers compassionate support through every phase of advance care planning. Their team walks beside you, helping translate your values into action, ensuring your care aligns with who you are.
At its heart, advance care planning is an act of kindness—to yourself, your loved ones, and your future. It ensures that your care is not just clinically appropriate, but personally meaningful. Partners In Care can help support you so you don’t have to navigate this deeply human journey alone.