Why Do I Need an Advance Care Directive?

The crazy thing I want for every U.S. resident:

When you register to vote or get your driver's license or register for college or the military, you fill out your advance care directive.

Sounds crazy, right?

But it's one of the saner things you can do.

As an end of life doula, I teach workshops on filling out your ACD- advance care directive. Most of the attendees have been avoiding it for years, inspired by fear and paralysis.

If we normalized the ACD, as necessary paperwork for all citizens, who also have the legal right to the comfort care provided by hospice at the end of their lives, wouldn't that be a benefit to you and your family?

An ACD states your wishes in the event you are not able to speak for yourself. Things like do you want your life to be prolonged under any circumstance? Do you want pain meds even if that would mean you would not be conscious?

Most importantly an ACD gives you the opportunity to say who you want to entrust as your health care proxy. Who do you choose to advocate for your wishes?

Here is a link to the form by state. Don't delay!