Each year, April 16 marks National Healthcare Decisions Day, a reminder of how important it is to communicate your wishes for medical care in case you are ever unable to speak for yourself.
Our Aging Life Care Advisors™ understand just how important it is to have the “conversation of your life,” because they have seen firsthand what can happen when a person’s wishes are unknown and the proper documents are not in place.
In New Jersey, an advance directive can help guide care if you become unable to make healthcare decisions. The New Jersey Department of Health explains that the state recognizes two kinds of advance directives: a proxy directive, which names someone to make decisions for you, and an instruction directive, which outlines your wishes for care. Examples include:
- Court-appointed guardian – if one has been legally designated
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Adult children (majority agreement if multiple)
- Parents
- Adult siblings (majority agreement if multiple)
- Close friend or other relative who is familiar with the patient’s values and wishes
But what happens if your loved ones do not know your wishes? What happens if adult children or siblings disagree about what should be done?
Too often, the person called upon to make a decision feels torn, and family members with differing opinions can become caught in conflict that creates lasting hurt and stress.
Healthcare decisions are not limited to end-of-life care. Situations involving mental health, blood transfusions, amputations, or other serious medical treatments can also arise when someone is unable to make sound decisions. These are exactly the kinds of circumstances that can and should be addressed in a healthcare directive.
That is why Annette Murphy, Director of Home Care and Care Management, often speaks in the community about Five Wishes. This document serves as a living will and helps people outline their preferences for care if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. Its real value is that it opens the door to meaningful conversations and compassionate planning, helping individuals explore, express, and document what matters most to them.
Having these conversations now can spare families confusion, conflict, and heartache later, while providing peace of mind for everyone involved.
Do not hesitate to reach out. A member of our Aging Life Care Advisors™ / Care Management team can help with this important work. For assistance with advance care planning and other caregiving challenges, call Springpoint at Home at 609-366-1900.
