Ending Life Well: Conversations & Connections Advance care planning (ACP) is thinking about, discussing, and documenting healthcare wishes. While often prioritized with a terminal diagnosis, ACP is important for all The Value and Benefit of Advance Care Planning
and family and contributes to quality of life and dignity in aging.” It may be hard to understand the benefits that ACP provides until you or a loved one is in a health crisis, but Wilson explains that her presentation participants “overwhelmingly stated they wished their loved one had this document” to make the end of life care more confident, clear, and peaceful. The best ACP is ongoing. Interfaith Community Service’s Tandala Kidd says, “we need to impress upon people the importance of not only completing…paperwork but also making sure they review, revise, and update their documents as well as make sure they are...shared [with important people].” ACP documents can be revised at any time and for any reason. To learn more about ACP, the Arizona End of Life Care Partnership offers no-cost education and assistance through affinity group partners: EOLCP Resources. You may also call PCOA’s End of Life Team, (520) 790-7262 or visit endoflife.pcoa.org .
and filed is the only way they can make their wishes known,” asserts MacDonald. When possible, designate Power(s) of Attorney and discuss end of life wishes with your important people continually. Since documents cannot address every possibility, people who know your wishes can stand in the gap. Deacon Andy Corder, a Tucson Medical Center Chaplain, explains, “A [Medical Healthcare Power of Attorney] is best empowered with the wants and wishes of the person they are charged with making decisions for through a well written and frequently reviewed Living Will.” Algurie Wilson with the Coalition for African American Health and Wellness says, “the important part is…to have these types of conversations with their families, providers, and friends to help with the potential difficult decisions that could arise.” The more your important people understand your values and wishes, the more likely you will receive the care you prefer. Additionally, ACP provides emotional and relational benefits. Patsy Klein, with Catholic Community Services, notes that completing documents provides “peace of mind to both you
adults because emergencies, unexpected health crises, and pandemics happen. Some of PCOA’s partners point out, below, ACP’s benefits—to you and your loved ones. In Arizona, ACP considers four documents (Living Will, Medical Healthcare Power of Attorney, Mental Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Pre-Hospital Directive) with distinct functions. Simply, the Living Will identifies the care you do, or do not want; Powers of Attorney designate people to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to decide or speak; and the Pre-Hospital Directive provides instruction to emergency responders. Karen MacDonald of Interfaith Community Services, notes that a current Living Will “gives healthcare providers and Powers of Attorney a road map for difficult [healthcare] decisions.” For people in marginalized groups, the Living Will “is our only way to declare our preferences in the face of a world that may want to erase us,” states Erin Russ of Southern Arizona Senior Pride. For those who have no one to advocate for them, “having an explicit Living Will documented
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Pima Council on Aging
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