Life Care Planning

Your Life, Your Plan, Your Decision.

(It’s time to get MAD – Make A Decision!)

In the event of an emergency, the majority of Arizonans don’t have a written plan that makes their wishes be known and honored (this is known as advanced directives). If you don’t have these documents in place in writing, you are at risk of having medical decisions made without your permission.  You have the right to make decision before it’s too late!

Do you have the Life Care Planning tools listed below?

Life Care Planning Tools

Want to handle all five planning tools at once?  Five Wishes is an easy to use legal document written in everyday language that lets adults of all ages plan how they want to be cared for and addresses the following.
(order yours here!)

Durable Health Care Power of Attorney“(or “proxy” or “agent” or “surrogate”) – documents the person you select to be your voice for your healthcare decisions if you cannot speak for yourself.”

Durable Mental Health Care Power of Attorney – A mental health care power of attorney is a document that allows you to appoint someone to handle your mental health care should you become incapable or incompetent to handle your mental health care.

Living Will – “documents what kinds of medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life.”

Letter to my Agent – An Appointment of Health Care Agent is another type of advance directive that allows you to name a person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself.

Do Not Resuscitate – tells health care professionals not to (Perform CPR) manually preserve brain function to restore blood circulation and breathing in a person whose heart stops.  This means that doctors, nurses and emergency medical personnel will not attempt emergency CPR if the patient’s breathing or heartbeat stops.

Other Important Resources:

http://www.agingwithdignity.org/index.php

Arizona Lifecare Planning Packet: https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/sites/all/docs/lifecare/LCP_Packet_fillable.pdf

Know where to find a copy of your written decision when it matters most?  Does your medical provider have a copy?  Discuss this in your family room, not the emergency room!  http://theconversationproject.org/