If you have a terminal illness, or are approaching the end of your life, it can be a good idea to record your views, preferences and priorities about your future care.
End of life planning involves thinking and talking about your wishes for how you are cared for in the final months of your life and when you are dying. This is in case there's a time in the future when you are unable to take part in the discussions and decision-making yourself.
An example of planning ahead is the Think Ahead form developed by the Irish Hospice Foundation and advocated by MyVita, where you discuss your wishes and document them for future referral by either your loved ones or medical personnel.
This is extremely useful for guiding your doctors and other healthcare staff in making decisions about emergency care and treatment if you cannot take part in these decisions yourself.
End of life planning involves thinking and talking about your wishes for how you are cared for in the final months of your life and when you are dying. This is in case there's a time in the future when you are unable to take part in the discussions and decision-making yourself.
An example of planning ahead is the Think Ahead form developed by the Irish Hospice Foundation and advocated by MyVita, where you discuss your wishes and document them for future referral by either your loved ones or medical personnel.
This is extremely useful for guiding your doctors and other healthcare staff in making decisions about emergency care and treatment if you cannot take part in these decisions yourself.
Why should I plan ahead
When you “Think Ahead” it can help you receive the care you want and can also help to make things easier for your partner and family when you are nearing the end of life.
Certain things, such as telling people you love them or making a memorial video for someone to remember you by, could also greatly help your family and friends in their bereavement after you die.
Financial planning is also an extremely important aspect of End of Life planning. One which will enable you to ease the burden on your loved ones when the time comes to mourn.
MyVita will be there every step of the way to help.
Certain things, such as telling people you love them or making a memorial video for someone to remember you by, could also greatly help your family and friends in their bereavement after you die.
Financial planning is also an extremely important aspect of End of Life planning. One which will enable you to ease the burden on your loved ones when the time comes to mourn.
MyVita will be there every step of the way to help.
Helping your loved ones
You may sometimes think about what will happen if you become seriously ill or disabled. Would your partner or family know about the kind of care you would like to receive, or where you would like to die (at home or in a hospice)? Would they know if you would want to be admitted to hospital, resuscitated (helped to start breathing again) or if you want to refuse certain types of treatment?
These might not be easy topics to think about but, by discussing your wishes with your family, you could be saving them from having to help doctors make difficult decisions later on without knowing what you would have wanted.
If your partner or relatives know, for example, that you do not want to be resuscitated and this has been documented in advance, it can help them understand this and make sure doctors and other health professionals looking after you know this too. They will all know they are helping you to get what you want or not have treatment you do not want.
These might not be easy topics to think about but, by discussing your wishes with your family, you could be saving them from having to help doctors make difficult decisions later on without knowing what you would have wanted.
If your partner or relatives know, for example, that you do not want to be resuscitated and this has been documented in advance, it can help them understand this and make sure doctors and other health professionals looking after you know this too. They will all know they are helping you to get what you want or not have treatment you do not want.
How can I Think Ahead
There is no set way of planning ahead, but there are some useful steps you can take. It may help to read through the MyVita.life website as it contains a lot of practical information.
You could also think about:
You could also think about:
- starting the conversation with your partner, family, carers and health professionals
- exploring your options, such as where you can choose to be cared for – this will probably involve talking with health professionals and other experts, especially if you have any particular questions or worries
- thinking about what your wishes and preferences are
- whether you want to refuse specific treatment options
- legally appointing someone to make decisions for you in case you are not able to do so yourself in the future
- letting people know your wishes through talking or writing them down, or both
Emotional and Practical Issue
As well as thinking about your future care, there are emotional and practical issues you might want to consider, such as:
You might already have strong feelings about these topics or may want to think them over or discuss them with your partner or family.
- any questions or worries you have about illness and dying that you would like to discuss
- how you would like your funeral to be
- making memory boxes, books or videos for your family and friends
- legal and financial matters, such as making a will or planning for the care of anyone who relies on you, such as your children
You might already have strong feelings about these topics or may want to think them over or discuss them with your partner or family.