It may not be easy to think about dying and what you want from it and you may have a lot of hard choices to make. But if you plan for your end-of-life care, it can bring you peace of mind to know your wishes will be honored and it will reduce burdens on your loved ones.
A plan involves answering straight forward questions about the end YOU would want. Straight forward questions such as:
- Where do I want to be at the end?
- What will I do if/when I can no longer be independent?
- What do I want for medical treatments and interventions?
- How long do I want to pursue interventions?
- Who is going to make sure my plan is followed?
- How can I make sure my loved ones are taken care of after I am gone?
A comprehensive end of life plan will provide answers to these questions and more, ensuring your wishes are known, understood and carried out by your loved ones and medical providers.
Here is a list of documents to assist you when making your End of Life plans:
- DNR Form (NY)
- Hospital Readiness Packet
- Choosing Long Term Care
- Valuable Records Checklist
- Agent to Control Disposition of Remains form
- Funeral Planning Checklist
In addition to these tools, you should complete an Advanced Directive. There are several versions available depending on the state you reside. (learn more about the NY Advanced Directive here)
The Conversation Project provides tools and resources to get you thinking about and talking about your end of life wishes.
Contact Hospice for a FREE copy of the Five Wishes or a New York State Advanced Directive.