Every year on April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as a reminder to think ahead about something many people tend to avoid, what happens if you can’t speak for yourself during a medical emergency. It’s about making sure your doctors, family, and care team understand your wishes before a crisis ever happens. Planning ahead gives you a voice, even when you may not be able to use it, and it relieves your loved ones from the burden of guessing what you would want.
Watch this You Guys Know PSA video to practice having a conversation with your loved ones.
“This kind of planning isn’t just for older adults,” says Lee Ann O’Brien, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for McGregor Senior Living. “Unexpected illness or injury can affect anyone at any stage of life. If you’re healthy today, having a plan in place ensures that your preferences are honored if the unexpected occurs.”
“You also don’t need to have every detail figured out right away,” says O’Brien. “There’s no single ‘correct’ way to approach healthcare decisions. What matters most is taking time to reflect on your values, what’s important to you, who you trust to make decisions on your behalf, and the kind of care you would or wouldn’t want. A simple starting point is asking yourself: “What matters most to me?” From there, you can begin discussing your thoughts with family members or your doctor.”
At its core, this process begins with a conversation. While these discussions can feel uncomfortable, they are important. You can talk with anyone you trust, family, close friends, or a healthcare provider. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters is that the conversation happens.
Once you’ve reflected and talked things through, the next step is to put your wishes in writing. Documenting your decisions helps ensure they are clearly understood and followed. Some healthcare systems offer tools such as the “Five Wishes” document through platforms like MyDirectives, making it easier to organize and record your preferences.
The Five Wishes framework helps guide your planning:
- First, you choose someone you trust to make healthcare decisions for you if you’re unable to do so yourself.
- Second, you outline the types of medical treatment you would or wouldn’t want, especially in serious situations where recovery is unlikely.
- Third, you describe how comfortable you want to be, including your preferences for pain management and overall care.
- Fourth, you explain how you want to be treated, personally and emotionally, by those around you.
- Finally, you share what you want your loved ones to know, including your thoughts, feelings, and any final messages.
Ultimately, it comes down to one important question: Do you want your loved ones’ final memories of you to include the stress of making difficult medical decisions on your behalf? If not, take the time now to decide what you want, share it with those you trust, and put it in writing.
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