Long Terms Care Plans: Why an Imperative?

What Does Long Term Care Planning Mean?

Long Term care planning is about more than just medical decisions. It’s a holistic approach to ensuring that your wishes, values, and needs are honored as you age. You have lived your life a certain way with your values, and decisions based on those values.

In my decades of working with clients as they move through the aging process and various health related conditions, foremost in my service to those I serve is to protect their agency;:

Tto know them well enough so that if the time came where I needed to speak for them, I would know what they wanted: how they enjoyed their quiet time, if they wanted lots of social interaction, what kind of music they enjoy. I, also, would know what they did not want and did not like...particular foods, people, TV programs.

I would know their wishes if they were admitted to the hospital with a serious health condition: How I would talk with the medical team based on the person's wishes, their values, their quality of life measures.

Long term care planning is high on the "procrastination" list or what I call the "tomorrow list", and yet, we don't know when an event will occur; when that "care plan" is called upon to execute. Life happens regardless of our plans, and developing a long term care plan is really invaluable. It is a gift we give to those we love.

Some of the topics of discussion to begin having NOW include:

• Healthcare choices: What kind of medical treatments do you want? Are there specific interventions you prefer to avoid? (see Slow Medicine)

• Living arrangements: Would you like to stay at home, move to assisted living, or explore other options? Have you listed your preferred Assisted Living communities in your Advance Directive or the Rehab center you prefer to go to if needed? If you prefer to stay at home, have you assessed your financial capacity to do so (if you don't have someone to help care for you as needed)?

• Legal and financial matters: Have you prepared documents like a will, power of attorney, or advance directives? Who is your Health Care Representative? (See Choosing your Health Care Representative)

Example of an actual situation:

I was hired by a family - 2 sisters - whose brother was hospitalized due to a diabetic coma. They wanted me to help them navigate the medical options available to their brother who was in serious condition. The brother had no no Advance Health Care Directive. The sisters had no idea what he would want. He was intubated and if that was removed there was a high probability that he would not survive. The other option was that he stayed institutionalized in a hospital on intubation and artifical feeding indefinetly.

The 2 sisters were very torn and could not make a decision as they felt so responsible should the brother die if intubation was removed.

What would the brother want? No one knew.

Once he came out of the coma, he did not understand the choices; his cognitive capacity was questionable which placed the burden of making a choice without knowing what he truly would want.

The sisters were left with an extreme emotional taxing decision to make. Had the brother had an Advance Health Care Directive, this document would have served as a guide for his sisters so they could make a decision based on his wishes. They could go home and sleep at night knowing they followed his wishes.

Practical Steps to Take Today

Sometimes, the idea of planning for the future can feel distant or even uncomfortable. But starting with small, manageable steps can make a big difference. Here are some practical actions you can take right now:

1. Write down your healthcare preferences. Most State Advance Directives have a guide included in them to help you clarify your preferences. Consider what treatments you would want or would decline.

2. Identify who the person or persons are that you want appointed as your Health Care Representative and get your Advance Directive completed and filed with your hospital and doctors.

3. Review your financial situation. Make sure your important documents are up to date and accessible.

4. Explore housing options. Visit local assisted living communities or talk to neighbors and, or friends who have made similar choices. Assess your capacity to Age in Place if that is your wish.

5. Create and know your support team. Identify trusted friends, family members, or professionals who can help you when needed.

   
   

Each step you take is a way of honoring your journey and ensuring your voice is heard. Move at your own pace and revisit these plans and change them as your needs evolve.

 Shape your journey, your life to the end with intention.