Connections 130: Advance Care Planning Not Just for Patients

We’ve all heard this saying many times, “The only things certain in life are death and taxes.” So, that’s why National Healthcare Decisions Day is celebrated on April 16th, the day after our personal income tax filings are due to the IRS.

As a health care provider, you have most likely heard of Living Wills, and maybe of Powers of Attorney for Health Care. You may even have those legal documents filled out. But do your loved ones know about them? And even more importantly, do they know what your values are, and how those guide your health care related decisions?

If you have such documents (a Living Will and/or a Power of Attorney for Health Care), make sure you have the talk with your loved ones. Even as a health care provider it may be a hard talk, but it can bring you closer to your family. It is also important to have the talk with your own doctor(s).

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, OSF Supportive Care has trained staff called OSF Care Decisions facilitators available to talk to you in the event you haven’t had a chance yet to do your own advance care planning. What better way to encourage your patients to complete their appropriate advance care plans than to share that you have already done so.

You can call us today at (309) 308-5950 to make an appointment.

Last Updated: October 31, 2019

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About Author: Robert Sawicki, MD

Doctor Robert Sawicki photoDr. Robert Sawicki is the Vice President of Clinical Services for OSF Home Care and Post-Acute Services. He has led efforts to develop and improve care for patients with chronic illnesses and has a special interest in end-of-life care and hospice.

Dr. Sawicki received his medical degree from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois, and completed his residency in family medicine in Rockford. He practiced family medicine in Bloomington, Illinois, for 20 years before moving into leadership roles with OSF Home Care Services.

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Categories: Palliative Care & Hospice

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