Asking the Real Questions
Life can be going along swimmingly until…
A Saturday night in the Emergency department brings wellness and life into sharp focus. That real conversation about what matters to you and your loved ones becomes a priority that can no longer be skirted around.
Family and friends you know intimately may not have shared their wishs if you don’t ask the hard questions.
The squirming avoidance and procrastination of what to do in the event of…. seems like a wasted opportunity to find their answer.
Our society is literally death defying – conversations relating to the end of life are hushed. It is the one certainty in life that none of us escape from. We just don’t know when or how. Though the how can be determined if you have talked with kin about what treatment you want in such documents as an Advanced Care directive.
Advanced care directive is a statement you can write or state about what you intend with treatment options in the event that you will not be able to communicate this. Consider including what you wish to happen to your organs on death. Life continues for recipients with the simple act of ticking yes to organ donation.
With the coming of this Festive season sadly there will be other families in emergency departments asking themselves what did their loved one want. Asking may be out of your comfort zone. Though it can be a relief to the person answering for their choices are being acknowledged. That real conversation lets you live to the max knowing you have taken care of what you can.
Resources
http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Advance-care-planning
http://advancecareplanning.org.au/library/uploads/documents/wa/Advance_Health_Directive.pdf
http://www.donatelife.gov.au/decide
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