Taking control of your health means preparing for the future, including making important healthcare decisions. At Complete Health Collective, we provide Advance Care Planning (ACP) consultation and support, helping you understand your current health state and prepare for your future medical needs. ACP gives you the ability to define and express your personal values and preferences for healthcare treatments. This is helpful for your own health decisions and also allows a future Substitute Decision Maker to follow your expressed wishes if and when you lose the capacity to express your wishes yourself. Please note that our focus is to help you understand your goals from a healthcare view, which is different from the legal process that you would carry on to appoint a legal representative. Both are equally important.
Understanding Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning doesn’t relate to symptoms in the traditional medical sense. However, it’s important to consider the “signs” that may indicate you need to start the ACP process:
- Age or ongoing health conditions that increase the risk of sudden health changes
- Concerns about maintaining independence and making personal healthcare decisions
- Worries about the potential burden of decision-making on family members
- A desire for clarity in expressing healthcare preferences
The Importance of Advance Care Planning
The importance of Advance Care Planning cannot be overstated. As an essential part of comprehensive health and wellness planning, ACP provides several key benefits:
- Autonomy and Empowerment: ACP empowers you to maintain control over your healthcare decisions, even if your health condition changes unexpectedly. It promotes autonomy, ensuring that your healthcare aligns with your values, beliefs, and preferences.
- Reduced Stress for Loved Ones: By clearly documenting your healthcare preferences, ACP relieves your loved ones from the burden of making difficult decisions during emotional times. It provides clarity and guidance, reducing potential conflicts or guilt associated with decision-making.
- Alignment of Care with Personal Values: ACP ensures that your medical treatment and care align with your personal values and goals, which is particularly critical when you cannot express these preferences yourself.
The Advance Care Planning Process at Complete Health Collective
Our team at Complete Health Collective assists you in the ACP process, which includes:
- Initial Discussion: We start with a virtual discussion to assess your understanding of your health state and healthcare preferences, values, and beliefs. Our doctors will provide comprehensive information about different medical scenarios, helping you make informed decisions.
- Documenting Your Wishes: We’ll help you gain knowledge of your health and treatment options and document your decisions clearly. This document, known as an advance directive or living will, outlines your healthcare preferences for various medical situations.
- Choosing a Substitute Decision Maker: You’ll select a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM)—someone who can make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot. We’ll guide you through the process, ensuring the chosen SDM understands and is willing to uphold your wishes.
- Reviewing and Updating Your Plan: ACP is not a one-time event—it should be reviewed and updated regularly, especially after significant life or health changes. We’re here to guide you through these reviews, ensuring your plan stays current and accurately reflects your wishes.
- Communicating Your Plan: Once your plan is complete, it’s crucial to share it with your family, SDM, and healthcare providers. This ensures everyone involved in your care understands your preferences.
Preventing Future Complications
While ACP cannot prevent future health issues, it can prevent confusion and conflict about your healthcare choices. By clearly outlining your preferences, you can ensure your healthcare aligns with your values, no matter what the future holds.
By discussing your wishes ahead of time with an expert healthcare provider, you can alleviate emotional stress for your loved ones. It provides clarity, reducing the burden of decision-making during difficult times. Regularly reviewing and updating your plan is key to preventing potential misunderstandings. As your health or personal circumstances change, your ACP should evolve.
Your Future with Advance Care Planning
With an Advance Care Plan in place, you can look forward to a future where your healthcare decisions align with your values and beliefs, even when you are unable to express them yourself. This future includes a clearer direction for your loved ones and healthcare providers, alleviating their burden of making difficult decisions on your behalf, which may not align with your wishes. With the help of Advance Care Planning, you can approach the future with increased confidence and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Advance Care Planning (ACP)?
Advance Care Planning is a process that helps you express and document your wishes for future healthcare treatments or interventions. It involves discussions with healthcare providers and loved ones about your values, beliefs, and preferences for care, especially if a time comes when you cannot express them yourself.
Q: Who needs Advance Care Planning?
Regardless of current health status, Advance Care Planning is recommended for all adults. It is especially pertinent for those with chronic health conditions, older adults, or anyone concerned about maintaining their autonomy in healthcare decisions.
Q: How often should I review my Advance Care Plan?
Your Advance Care Plan should be reviewed and updated regularly, particularly after significant life or health changes. Your doctor at Complete Health Collective can guide when and how often your plan should be revisited.
Taking the Next Step with Advance Care Planning
Complete Health Collective is here to assist you on this vital journey. Our team of skilled doctors understands the nuances of Advance Care Planning and is committed to guiding you through the process with compassion and respect. Using our virtual care services, you can discuss your concerns, clarify your values, and prepare your Advance Care Plan from your home.
Embrace the benefits of foresight and autonomy that Advance Care Planning brings. For more information or to schedule a consultation for you or a loved one, please fill out our request form here. Taking this step today can enhance your health knowledge, increase your awareness of available treatment options, and assure you that your healthcare preferences will be respected, no matter what the future may hold.
