By Tanya Hamel
I have a certain way I like to do things.
I have my routine in the morning when I wake up. I know how I like my coffee. My desk at work is just how I like it and quite functional, for me. When I get home, I put my coat on the same hook and my purse in the same spot. I know where everything is in my kitchen when I cook dinner. I have my favorite spot on the couch, and my lap blanket is just an easy reach away from me. I know that I don’t want the scratchy blanket at the other end of the couch.
I know what I like. Some might call me particular or even a bit controlling. I just know how I like things. I’m not going to lose it if I run out of creamer or if my kitchen tool is missing, but I definitely try to avoid that situation because I don’t want to be without.
How do I avoid this? I have a plan. If I’m getting low on creamer, I write it on my shopping list. If I can’t find a tool, I go straight to my kids, who are in charge of unloading the dishwasher.
I try to have a plan that works for me each day so that I can be as efficient as possible. I plan so I don’t have to worry or stress when things aren’t how I like them.
These are all little things, of course, that make life easier for me. But how about those big things in life? Or those unexpected things in life? Those things we can’t always plan for? We can’t always foresee car trouble, accidents, job loss, health conditions, death of a loved one, or a pandemic. When these things happen, we usually have to act or react at a moment’s notice, and that reaction may not be a predictable one, even for ourselves. If we can’t always predict our own reactions, how is someone we love supposed to know how we would want things done, if we are unable to tell them?
April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day. The NHDD exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. NHDD is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare and for providers and facilities to respect those wishes, whatever they may be.
Some of us have beliefs and opinions that others may not understand or agree with which can make a major or even a life decision that much harder to make for our loved ones. They only want to do right by us. It’s never an easy thing to talk about, but it is such an important conversation, especially if you have a particular way you like things done, like me.
Make your wishes known. An advance directive is a written statement that expresses how you want medical decisions made for you in the future if you can’t make them yourself. There are different types of advanced directives that any adult can choose to create, not just seniors. A living will, a healthcare power of attorney, or a declaration for mental health treatment are a few to consider, and they are free to create.
You can revoke or change your advance directive at any time. Once discussed and completed, you’ll want to give copies of the forms to the family member or friend that you’ve appointed and to your doctor. You can find these forms and others on your state’s department of health website or at HealthAlliance.org.
Your values or priorities may change throughout your life, so as a rule of thumb, it’s important to review your advance directives when any of the 5 Ds occur:
Every Decade; a Death of a loved one; a Divorce; a significant Diagnosis; or major Decline in your health.
Whew! Now that you’ve taken care of that, you can start planning your next move.
Tanya Hamel is a community liaison for Health Alliance Northwest, serving Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties in Washington. Tanya was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She loves the outdoors and spending time with her family and their two dogs.
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