Insights

Amy Rowland
Social Worker
Porter Hills Home Care

Watch the WZZM Senior Wellness segment on this topic.

As a social worker who works in home care, Advanced Directives are a topic that I address nearly every day.  While some people may see advanced directives and conversations about them as morose, they can be an empowering, informative and play a vital role in your health. 

For advanced directives, there are three main written components: a Living Will, Patient Advocate and Durable Power of Attorney.  

• Living Will

  Outlines treatment preferences for an individual and ensures that your patient advocate knows what your choices you’ve made 

• Patient Advocate
  

  Sometimes referred to as Power of Attorney, is the person that you designate to make decisions on your behalf if you are temporarily or permanently unable to make decisions on your own behalf

• Durable Power of Attorney for Financial
  

  This individual is able to make specified legal and financial decisions on your behalf in the event that you are temporarily or permanently unable to do so on your own behalf 

While it is important to put these matters in writing for legal purposes, the second component of setting up advanced directives is having a conversation with your appointed advocates.  These conversations give clarity to your choices and it also helps prevent your advocate from wondering what your choices would be in the event that they needed to make decisions on your behalf.  Having the legal documents in place is essential and having the conversations with your advocates before a time of crisis or emergency is also invaluable. 

While there are many great options for putting together advanced directives, two great places to start are: 

MakingChoicesMichigan 

Aging with Dignity

Questions? Call Porter Hills Home Care today, at 616-949-5140.