What is Advance Serious Illness Planning?

Basically, it’s a plan that outlines your values and treatment preferences that you prepare in advance, in case you experience a serious illness or injury (for example: severe COVID-19 pneumonia, a major car accident, or a massive stroke) and cannot speak for yourself.

In a randomized controlled trial, advance serious illness planning was shown to reduce the burden and conflict among loved ones and reduced stress, anxiety and depression in surviving family members. Patients who used our Advance Serious Illness Planning Guide:

Serious Illness Planning is NOT End of Life Planning.

At the point when you experience a serious illness, doctors will need to know whether to apply life-sustaining treatments, and they may not know for sure if you are dying. End of life plans don’t apply.

We want to help you understand how communicating your values and preferences are an important part of decision-making about your medical care during a serious illness — whether you live or die.

Think your legal documents have got you covered? Think again.

Did you know that the legal documents you might have already created are very inadequate to support your family in making the right decisions about your future medical or personal care decisions when you are incapacitated due to illness?

They do a great job of legally appointing a decision maker, but they don’t provide them with instructions for your care based on your own values and preferences. Also, most powers of attorney documents don’t include instructions to prevent misuse or abuse of your resources if you become vulnerable and unable to manage your own affairs.

Traditional planning efforts are unhelpful and do not adequately equip your family to manage your life and affairs if you aren’t able.  Ease the burden on them by creating your Advance Serious Illness Plan today.

The Journey to Optimal Planning

Step 1 Exploring what medical treatments might be right for you when seriously ill. Reflect upon your personal authentic values and preferences for healthcare and document your wishes for future health care in a Dear Doctor Letter.
STEP 2 EQUIP SOMEONE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON YOUR BEHALF IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SPEAK FOR YOURSELF Select, appoint, and prepare a representative for future healthcare and personal care decision making
STEP 3 ENTRUST SOMEONE TO MANAGE YOUR FINANCES FOR YOU IF YOU ARE UNABLE Learn more about the legal preparations needed to appoint a Power of Attorney for Finances as well as strategies to prevent misuse of funds and prevent future familv conflict. Create a Dear Lawyer letter to better prepare vour lawver to create your POA legal document

What if you don’t plan?

Failing to plan could lead to undesirable outcomes such as:

  • family disagreement and conflict
  • stress on your family members and loved ones
  • anxiety and guilt for the decision makers, wondering if they made the right call
  • dying an undignified, uncomfortable death as a result of unwanted life-saving measures
  • being allowed to die when you would have rather lived

How confident is your representative in making life and death decisions for you?

It’s impossible to be 100% certain about what the right choice is in a life and death situation.

However, it’s a lot easier when your legal representative knows what you value, what your goals are, and what criteria you have chosen to base your decisions on.

Ease the burden of decision-making for your loved ones by putting your values on paper and create your Advance Serious Illness Plan today.

When should I make an
Advance Serious Illness Plan?

No Time Like the Present!

Have your loved ones ready to support you in your healthcare decision making if needed.

When Your Health is Changing

Have your loved ones ready to support you in your healthcare decision making if needed.

When Caregiving for a Loved One

Get equipped with their guidance in case of a medical event or illness.

When Preparing Your Will and Estate

Cover the essential must-knows before creating power of attorney for care and health directive documents.

“No patient ever knows going into the ICU that their family will be faced with such a difficult decision to make on their behalf. And asking them to make a decision on whether to live or die prior to being put on life support in such a short time is unimaginable.”

~ Legal Representative 
(without an Advance Serious Illness Plan)

To live well, age well, and die well, you need to Plan Well