Can We Talk?
They say there are only two things we absolutely have to do: Die and pay Taxes. April 15 is traditionally Tax Day, and now the day after, April 16, has been designated National Healthcare Decisions Day, in an effort to get people to plan for their dying as well as they do for their taxes.
Elephant in the Room
Due to this pandemic year of hearing daily numbers of Covid deaths and constantly seeing scenes of people suffering and dying, we have a fresh awareness of death. This heightened awareness is actually helping us talk about death and prompting many families to discuss what they want their dying to look like. The “elephant in the room” (that thing that we are all thinking about, but not talking about), is actually being acknowledged much more now. It remains to be seen if 2021 will turn out to be the year more Americans than ever will have embarked on advance care planning and completed their advance directives (ADs).
What is important to you?
If you are serious about telling your loved ones what you would want at the end of life, we at End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) are here to help you get the conversation going (the most important part) or show you where to find the appropriate forms and what to do with them. It’s what we do.
Ask yourself: What is most important to you? What matters most to you?
We are here to help you share with your loved ones exactly what you would want if you were unable to speak for yourself. Completing an AD is a “game changer” for you and your family; it is a gift, it is liberating.
Let’s bring that “elephant” out of the closet and shine a light on dying: Let’s admit that someday we are going to die, hopefully not soon, but that we all eventually die. Let’s get comfortable talking about how we would like to die; where we want to be, who we would like to be present. Let’s have that conversation about death with our loved ones and write down what we would want in an AD. The sooner we do this, the more likely it is that our wishes will be honored.
Our family and friends will be grateful to have had the opportunity to help us achieve our goals.
Take these steps today!
Please go to our website where you will find an advance directive form to download and complete.
Sign it, have it witnessed, and give copies to your loved ones and your physician.
If you have any questions or would like help completing an AD, please email us at info@endoflifechoicesca.org and let us know how our volunteers can help you.