Advance directives give loved ones the gift of peace of mind


Looking for the perfect gift this time of year? You might be surprised to find that the most generous gift you can give has nothing to do with wrapping paper and bows.

While this might not be the conversation you planned to have this holiday season, sharing your end-of-life wishes with your family members is a gift that will bring peace of mind and comfort when you – and them – need it most.

“It is a gift for yourself, as well as for your loved ones,” said Mary Helen Stricklin, director of nursing for palliative care at Intermountain Healthcare. “It allows you to think about what matters most to you and share your advance directives with family members so they know exactly what you want. “

“We have seen families torn apart in crisis because they did not know what their loved one wanted, now that they are making decisions and the family cannot agree on how to handle the situation “Stricklin continued. “We also saw families who were able to feel peace in the midst of an otherwise dire situation because they had a plan in place.”

For anyone looking to create an advance directive, several resources are available free of charge.  Call 435-251-1850 to ask questions and get the ball rolling.  Or log on to https://intermountainhealthcare.org/health-information/advance-directive/ for more information.

Documenting your wishes in an advance directive can alleviate family stress because the person chosen to make the medical decisions is prepared. “It reduces confusion and lessens the anxiety and fear that people might have,” Stricklin said. Knowing your wishes and sharing them can bring great peace.

While some people may feel overwhelmed to start the process, Stricklin said there are only a few steps, all of which can be done at no cost to the individual.

“You don’t need a lawyer to do this,” Stricklin said. “And in Utah, you don’t even need a notary. Just a witness to your signature.

The best way to start the process is to have a conversation with yourself, really weighing up what matters most, Stricklin said. Take the time to think about what is most important to you from a health, spiritual, religious and cultural point of view. After that, you need to choose an agent who will be responsible for carrying out your advance directives if you cannot make decisions on your own. Once you have made these decisions, the next vital steps are to create a document outlining your wishes and then share that document with your loved ones, as well as with your doctor and the hospital who may be treating you.

While some may think advance care planning is only for the aging population, Stricklin said anyone over 18 should have something in place.

“Think of it as an important part of your emergency preparedness,” she said. “People always think it’s too early until it’s too late.”

One way to get you thinking about the subject is to consider a sudden and unexpected life-threatening situation, such as a car accident, that might prevent you from communicating your wishes.

“We have young people in the hospital all the time from ATV accidents, falling off a cliff while hiking, car accidents and more,” Stricklin said. “You may never have to use your advance directive plan, but it’s heartwarming to know it’s there just in case. “

Stricklin added that it’s important to remember that this is a fluid document. You can change your mind as your preferences change by writing a new document at any time. Nothing is set in stone.

In fact, Stricklin said she suggests people review their advance directives regularly to make sure they’re up to date with the correct contact information and always reflect your most recent wishes.

People can use the “five D’s” as suggestions for when to review their documents: divorce, death in the family, change in diagnosis, deterioration in your health, or at least every decade.

For anyone looking to create an advance directive, several resources are available free of charge. Call 435-251-1850 to ask questions and get the ball rolling. Or log on to https://intermountainhealthcare.org/health-information/advance-directive/ for more information.

This Live Well column represents the collaboration between healthcare professionals from the medical staff of our non-profit Intermountain Healthcare hospitals and The Spectrum & Daily News.


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