National Healthcare Decisions Day: Why Seniors Should Plan Ahead
A lifetime of wisdom comes with one undeniable truth: end-of-life care planning makes life easier. Yet many seniors delay making medical decisions until a crisis forces the issue.
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) is a reminder to take control of your future healthcare choices now.
Founded in 2008, NHDD encourages open conversations about advance care planning. It's observed every April 16th to help individuals document their healthcare wishes before urgent decisions arise.
Here at Loma Clara in Morgan Hill, CA, we love to see our residents take part in medical decision-making to make sure their values shape their medical care. NHDD provides the tools to start the conversation.
Keep reading to learn how simple steps now can bring peace of mind for the future.
What NHDD Means for Seniors
National Healthcare Decisions Day encourages seniors to talk about their healthcare preferences before they experience a medical crisis. Discussions help families and medical providers understand what matters most to each person.
Beyond legal documents, NHDD emphasizes the importance of conversations. Medical decisions can be overwhelming, but sharing preferences now prevents confusion later.
Seniors who communicate their wishes help their loved ones feel confident in making decisions during difficult moments.
Making Medical Wishes Clear Before a Crisis
Medical emergencies can happen without warning, leaving families to make difficult choices. Maybe you've even seen something like this happen: a loved one falls ill, and no one knows what kind of care they would want. Some family members may push for every possible treatment, while others remember past conversations that suggest otherwise.
Without advance directives, families may struggle with uncertainty, each person interpreting a loved one's wishes differently.
Documenting your medical wishes removes the burden from the people who love and care about you. It also prevents conflict. Clear plans allow family members to focus on support rather than tough medical decisions.
Documents Every Senior Should Have
Clear documentation will help you maintain control over your medical care, even during times when things seem out of control. Having the right legal forms in place allows your family and healthcare providers to follow your wishes.
Advance Directives
Advance directives outline your healthcare preferences based on various medical situations. They are legally binding documents. Advance directives make sure your doctors and your loved ones' decisions align with your values.
Without these critical documents in place, your family may struggle to make the right choices during a medical crisis.
Living Wills
A living will provides specific instructions about life-sustaining treatments like resuscitation or ventilators. This document helps avoid unwanted medical interventions while respecting your end-of-life requests. Having one in place removes the burden of guesswork from the people making decisions on your behalf.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
A healthcare power of attorney (HCPOA) names a trusted person to make medical decisions if you can no longer communicate or make your own decisions. Your HCPOA should understand and respect your values and be willing to advocate for your care.
Choosing the right legal documents is one critical step. The other is deciding on the people who will be directly involved in your medical care. Having both in place is vital to being prepared for anything that might happen!
Addressing Common Hesitations About Planning
Something we've noticed here at Loma Clara Senior Living is that our residents stay busy. We offer so many amenities and activities that it's easy to forget about some of the more practical things, like senior legal planning.
That's one excuse for putting off advance care planning, but the truth is, many seniors put off planning because they don't want to think about medical crises. Some worry that signing an advance directive means giving up control.
Others believe the legal documents we've already mentioned are only necessary for the seriously ill. You don't need us to tell you that unexpected health events can happen to anyone.
Conversations about future medical care don't have to be difficult, and that's the focus of National Healthcare Decisions Day! It may help to consider that when you're part of a senior living community, you're surrounded by friends who are also thinking about end-of-life planning (even if they don't admit it).
Remember when you chose a retirement plan or wrote your will? Think of this as just more routine life planning -- it can make the whole process easier.
How NHDD Helps Seniors Take the Next Step
At Loma Clara, we provide the assisted living options you need to be safe, healthy, and happy. NHDD provides the resources you need to start planning. What a great opportunity to create a supportive environment where you can discuss medical care decisions with professionals and peers.
If you're a go-getter and want to organize events in your community, the NHDD and its partners offer several helpful resources, including:
- Ideas for hosting an event
- Videos
- Toolkits to promote your event
- Examples of how other organizations celebrate
Seniors who participate in NHDD events receive expert advice and encouragement to take action. Even a simple conversation with your family or your care team at Loma Clara can be a powerful first step.
Getting Started With Advance Care Planning
When you're ready to begin planning, it's helpful to start by reflecting on your personal values and healthcare preferences. You may prioritize quality of life, or perhaps you'll want to try every possible treatment option. Understanding your priorities makes it easier to create a plan that works for your specific needs.
A few key steps can help you take action:
- Choose a healthcare power of attorney.
- Use state-specific advance directive forms.
- Have open conversations with family and medical providers.
- Review and update your plan regularly.
Please Participate in National Healthcare Decisions Day
Planning for the future brings peace of mind. National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as a reminder to start conversations and take action.
At Loma Clara Senior Living in Morgan Hill, CA, we know that having a clear plan for the future makes life more enjoyable. Our residents know their wishes will be honored in our vibrant and supportive community.
If you're looking for a community where personal choice and expert care go hand in hand, explore our senior living floor plans and schedule a tour today.