Advance care planning helps you:
- Understand what health care choices you may want in the future;
- Talk with your loved ones and doctor(s) about these health care choices; and
- Plan for these health care choices that may be needed in the future.
When Should I Plan?
Right now, if you are over 18 years of age and able to make your own decisions, you can plan for your healthcare needs. The first step is to meet with one of our trained Facilitators who will help you understand why Advance Care Planning is important. Each Facilitator is trained to help you think about your goals and values. He or she will help you decide what questions to ask your doctor, loved ones, or spiritual leader. For some people, the planning process takes one or two meetings over a short period of time. Others need more time. Some people need several months to make their choices. No matter how much time you need, we are here to help you.
What is an Advance Directive?
An advance directive is your plan for future health care if you not able to make your own health care decisions. In Ohio, there are two legal forms – 1) a Living Will or 2) a Healthcare Power of Attorney. These are not forms that discuss money. It is your choice if you want to make an advance directive or not.
- A Living Will allows you to write down what choices you want for your future medical care.
- A Healthcare Power of Attorney lets you choose a person as your Health Care Agent. If you are no longer able to make your own health care choices, then this person will make them for you according to your wishes.
Having these forms may be the best way to make sure your wishes will be followed in the future. You can change or cancel one or both of these forms at any time, as long as you are able to make your own choices.
Can My Plans Change?
Yes. Over time things can change and it is wise to review these forms every few years or if you have any of the following:
- • The death of a family member or friend;
- • You divorce;
- • You become ill with a serious health problem;
- • You have a chronic or long term illness that becomes much worse; or
- • You move to another state or spend a lot of time in another state.
Greater Dayton Advance Care Planning Initiative
241 Taylor St., Suite 130, Dayton, OH 45402
Staff: Lisa Henderson
lhenderson@gdaha.org or 937.424.2362