This concept takes a holistic approach to discussing and documenting a person’s care and comfort choices. Documenting life choices has become even more of a priority during the COVID-19 crisis. The Five Wishes site reviews questions such as:
- What would happen if you need care in the hospital?
- Who would make decisions for you if you can’t?
- What could be done to protect your human dignity and maintain comfort?
Visitors can download an easy-to-understand legal advance directive (AD) document, written in everyday language. It helps all adults, regardless of age or health, to consider and document how they want to be cared for at the end of life, often referred to as a “living” will. A legal AD speaks to all of a person’s needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. There are also conversation starters to help get the ball rolling when talking to family/ loved ones. and physicians.
These documents are legally valid in almost all states. Some states require specific additional forms or mandatory notices. People living in one of these states can still use the guide to help steer the conversation and put their wishes in writing. There is also a national initiative, in partnership with educational institutions and national and regional health systems, to train the next generation of clinicians, including doctors, nurses and social workers. To date, the program has trained more than 7,000 clinicians on how to better use advance care planning to help their patients.