It s About the Conversation

Transcription

1 Association of Spiritual Caregivers It s About the Conversation Faith Ambassador Program The name Honoring Choices Wisconsin is used under license from East Metro Medical Society Foundation.

2 Plan ahead! What is advance care planning? Why is it important? How do I begin?

3 Advance Care Planning is: A process of... Understanding Reflecting on, and Discussing... future medical decisions, including end-of-life preferences.

4 Why Advance Care Planning? For so many people in my congregation, that end experience with the loved one is one of the most powerful experiences of their life, and not just in a negative way. So many of them say this felt like such a gift to be able to be there doing it the way the loved one wanted. It s almost magical and the healing begins and carries over the coming months and years. Roger, Appleton

5 Why is this important? If you do not express your preferences, decisions are made for you. Without planning: The care you receive may not reflect your wishes. Your health care professionals may not know your treatment preferences. Your family may be left wondering if they are making the right decision.

6 Why is it important? When something happens to you and you can't make those decisions, the family is dealing with emotions. It's very, very emotional The last thing that they want to have to do is to make major decisions of, do they continue with life support? Do they not continue with life support? Is this person an organ donor or not? Theresa, New London

7 Important Facts 60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is extremely important. 56% of those have not communicated their end-of-life wishes. Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)

8 Important Facts 70% of people overall say they prefer to die at home. 70% overall die in a hospital, nursing home, or long-term-care facility. Center for Disease Control (2005)

9 Important Facts 80% of people say that if seriously ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care. 7% report having had an end-of-life conversation with their doctor. Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)

10 Important Facts 82% of people say it s important to put their wishes in writing. 23% have actually done it. Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)

11 Important Facts 75% of physicians whose patient had an advance directive were not aware that it existed. Critical Care Journal (2007)

12 How to Begin 1. Reflect on your values 2. Choose a decision-maker 3. Explore your goals for medical care 4. Complete an advance directive

13 How to Bring it up? It can come up when you re watching a movie, at any time. And family members know to take note mentally most times, a mental note of what the person has said. We may sometimes say, Are you serious? Is that really what you mean? And they ll explain, Yes, that s really what I want. Trinette, Milwaukee

14 On Having the Conversation: This is going to be the greatest opportunity that you have in a long time to increase the intimacy of your relationship. We talk all the time about being close and about being loving, but what does that actually mean? When we say, I plan to put my life in your hands there s seriously nothing sweeter to do. Gary, Milwaukee

15 Choosing an Agent: My best friend is a tough cookie. She knows what I would want. I know that she would make sure that if the time came and I needed, you know, life support to be removed I know that she loves me and respects me enough to make sure that my wishes are carried forward. Evelyn, Madison

16 Why Put it in Writing? I think it s really important to have your directives in writing because in a moment of crisis it can be a touchstone, something that s solid for people to see with clarity what I, the patient, wish for myself. So I think it s really helpful for family to have that as the first tool of advocacy for me. Beth, Madison

17 Review periodically Advance care planning is a process, not a one-time event. Wishes may change as circumstances change. Review your wishes every time you have a physical exam.

18 And... Whenever any of the Five D s occur: Decade Death of a loved one Divorce Diagnosis Decline

19 Faith Ambassador Program Sponsored by the Meriter s Association of Spiritual Caregivers This initiative provides our Association of Spiritual Caregivers an opportunity to further carry out our vision of Whole Persons in Whole Communities and our mission of being Partners in Healing, Health Resources, and Professional Education This program is made possible by the generous support of the Meriter Foundation Association of Spiritual Caregivers

20 Honoring Choices Wisconsin The mission of Honoring Choices Wisconsin is to promote the benefits of and improve processes for advance care planning across the state, in health care settings and in the community.

21 Remember It s about the conversation!

22 Have the Conversation Association of Spiritual Caregivers