After engaging in advance care planning and completing your healthcare documents, you want to be sure that doctors, EMTs, and your inner circle know what your wishes are. Once you’ve made an Advance Directive or filled out other forms that officially document your medical wishes, you can take a few essential steps to ensure the information is shared with those who need it.
I am young and healthy. How should I make my wishes known?
The person you have chosen as your Healthcare Agent should not only know what you want but also have a copy of your Advance Directive or Healthcare Power of Attorney form. It is a good idea to let your friends and family know who that person is and where your documents can be found. Communicating your wishes may feel like a difficult thing to do, so we’ve provided some guidance on talking with your doctors, inner circle, and other important people in your life.
You can also consider adding a picture or PDF of your Advance Directive, Healthcare Power of Attorney, or HIPAA authorization forms to your phone. Be sure your signature is visible in each file, if there is more than one.
I am older but have no particular health problems. How should I make my wishes known?
The person you have chosen as your Healthcare Agent needs to know what you want and have a copy of your Advance Directive or Healthcare Power of Attorney form. Let your friends and family know who that person is and where your documents can be found.
You should have your Advance Directive uploaded into the electronic medical record at all your doctors’ offices. Have multiple printed copies readily available at home and have them somewhere that can be easily accessed by your Healthcare Agent or others in your inner circle. Hospitals will require them when you are admitted.
I live an active lifestyle. What can I do if I get hurt or need care while I am out?
If you engage in sports or activities, particularly by yourself, you should consider getting something to wear that will provide your information in the event of an accident. RoadID has very cool bracelets and tags for shoes and watches that provide contact information and a link to documents that you have uploaded to their site. They also have tags that can be added for specific medical needs, such as DNR or being diabetic. (They also have cute ID tags for dogs.)
I have a chronic disease. How should I make my wishes known?
Besides informing the people around you and giving your Advance Directive to all your doctors for your electronic medical record, you may also want to get a medical alert bracelet or tag (available online and through RoadID as above) and wallet card. You can include important information such as being diabetic on your alert items.
Making your information easy to access in an emergency can be very valuable. Magnetized file folders, called the File of Life, may be available for free through your local fire, police, sheriff, or ambulance departments, as well as local medical centers. You may also check with your town hall or any local community groups (Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, RSVP Associations, Council On Aging, etc). If not available there, you can also purchase them on Amazon. These are designed to be displayed prominently, usually on the front of the refrigerator. They should at least contain your DNR, if you have one, but can also contain an Advance Directive with your Healthcare Power of Attorney and a POLST.
The number and types of documents that contain healthcare wishes can be overwhelming. Learn more about each type of document and what makes each one unique.
I am moving towards the end of my life. How should I make my wishes known?
Everything we have mentioned so far applies here. You should:
- Inform the people around you
- Give your Advance Directive to all your doctors to be uploaded into your electronic medical record
- Consider getting a medical alert bracelet or tag (available online and through RoadID) and wallet card. Remember if you have a DNR, the logo should be prominently displayed.
- Get a magnetized file folder, also called a File of Life from your community or from Amazon. The contents should include your DNR, if you have one, POLST, and Advance Directive with your Healthcare Power of Attorney.
These simple, small actions will help ensure that you get the treatment you want, and that you don’t get treatment you don’t want. Take action now!
To get started on the most important step – sharing your wishes – find your state’s Advance Directive and download for free.
What Happens If I Don’t Make My Wishes Known?
If you do not choose someone in advance to speak for you and there comes a time you are unable to make your own decisions, there are state laws that help your healthcare providers determine who can make those decisions for you. These persons may or may not be who you want speaking for you. We have summarized the laws of each state in this regard on the same page of the state’s Advance Directive. If 911 is called in the absence of a readily available POLST or DNR, you will be resuscitated and transported to the nearest ER and full treatment started.
Communicating your wishes can be stressful and emotionally draining. We have information and resources that can help you share your wishes to doctors, those in your inner circle, and others.
