April 16 is the annual celebration of National Health Care Decisions Day. I humbly suggest that we all take advantage of this day of observance in a meaningful way instead of exchanging gifts. This can be done by sitting down with our loved ones and discussing the easily postponed topic of how to deal with our last few months of life.
From the moment we each take our first inhalation until our final breath, we are on a conveyor belt called “life.” There are no decisions we have to make regarding “termination clauses in our lives’ contracts” as I am pretty sure that we all will reach the days when our physical bodies stop working. Nobody will ask if you choose an even or odd year to die or what season you prefer for your passing. What we do get to choose are items that affect the style and the pace of passing. We all have individual preferences and styles of living, so naturally there will be a wide variation on how we each choose to die. The specifics are important, and there are articles and agencies that can assist us in making decisions that reflect our desires and needs. What is crucial, however, is to realize we can make decisions today that will help limit stress on our families and assist others in making our transitions reflect our choices and beliefs in calm, orderly manners.
If I’m lost while driving, as a male I genetically am expected to not be able to stop and ask for directions. Fortunately, I live in a time where I have a GPS that will assist me and don’t have to deal with either side of that issue.
Hospice Services of Lake County is the local agency that offers the professional advice and experience so that healthy decisions can be made. Hospice staff provide needed guidance and care, and it’s acceptable to ask for help even if you are a male. The sooner we explore the various options, the more time we have to enjoy the process and the time we have left. We don’t have to worry about planning too early or feeling different because the “conveyor belt” is blind as to who we are, what we have done or not done, or how much money we have in the bank.
For those interested, a second article will deal with the importance of expressing in writing your wishes for end-of-life care and whom you want to make decisions if you are unable to do so. This second article will address who can assist you in completing an advanced care directive document and how planning can make your end-of-life transition comfortable and gradual. By not postponing these decisions, you can avoid drama and unnecessary stress.
So congratulations on your thoughtful gift to yourself and your family by making your health care decisions today and paving the way to leave the stage with relaxation and grace instead of in a chaotic rush.
If you prefer to make your health care decisions today, please check with your doctor, lawyer, or Hospice Services of Lake County at http://www.lakecountyhospice.org.
