For a fact, everyone finds day dreaming about the future joyful. Questions like what will happen then, how things will be, what new adventures we will be taking on in our life helps us to light the fire going on and working hard.
It won’t be wrong to say that we are burning the midnight oil of the present for the better future. These sweet and goose bumps giving dreams will be true only if planned accordingly.
The most important aspect among this planning is Advanced Care Planning in California. ACP helps us in unbelievable ways to turn our dreams into reality.
Advanced Care Planning (ACP)
By ACP, a person defines and designs the way he wants to be treated medically and financially in case of any misfortune and appoints few close family and friends to take his responsibility.
This all is to be framed and processed legally to make everyone aware of his preferences and goals at the time of need only.
This planning includes near term care planning, long term care planning, end of life planning which also includes your preferences of like last rites, dying at home or in palliative care, meeting family members during treatment etc.
This legal document can be altered as per different or new situations the person comes across as life goes on.
Importance of ACP
“Life is unpredictable”
Misfortune can happen anytime, any moment, any second of the life and life can take 180 degree turn.
It won’t be surprising if you found yourself in a really bad car accident while going to walk tomorrow or found yourself diagnosed with the severe disease. Being prepared for this bad time is important.
A well designed plan for your preferred treatments will help a lot and having a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) will be really helpful.
Another key role played by ACP is providing informed medical consent which is mandatory in many regions. Your ACP and SDM will step in and give the required consent needed for your treatment according to your own preferences.
This will provide you with all the necessary and important information of the treatment like all the risk of disease, this is benefits and side effects of treatment, alternate options and what will be the consequences of refusing the treatment option.
Choosing your SDM (Substitute Decision Maker)
The authority of your decision goes to your SDM only when you are not able to do it yourself. The basic right that your SDM gets are consenting to tests, surgery choosing medical facilities, choosing personal care at home or palliative care.
SDM must take decision which are best in your interest abiding by your choices and preferences. While choosing a SDM one must consider few facts like he will understand and honor your wishes, can be trusted, be able to clearly communicate with your health facility teams. If you also want to read about unexpected occurrences in New York then you can go through with given link.
A Look at ACP in California
ACP in California requires every individual to make their own preferences, choices and goals clear about the kind of healthcare they want to have in the future times if they became unable to speak for themselves.
This helps an individual to make sure his values, beliefs and preferences are respected by his SDM and his health care providers.
- But who will make sure that your Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) is followed according to your will? Like in California, law requires 2 witnesses who are not related to the person by blood or marriage and are not the part of health facility providers for the AHCD TO SIGN YOUR AHCD.
- The California law requires the Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment POLST, a set of medical test and treatments which is customized according to person’s health detailing the different test and surgery for which the person gives consent. It is preferred for the individuals with serious illness and for those who are near end of life.
- To be able to apply for AHCD individual must be mentally fit to understand about the different medical options and its consequences. It also has provision for modifying the preferences which the person already made and even for the health care proxy who refers to the person who will take the decision on the person’s behalf if person is incapacitated.
- A very special norm offered by California law is that it allows minors with the age of 15 + to have AHCD if they are determined and capable to make their own decisions.
An Act of Compassion and Love through Optimism
Advanced Care Planning can be a phenomenal step here. Considering all the volatility and gravest outcomes every individual should take the accountability and have an AHCD. With the procedures and measures followed according to regulations, it works in the best interest for the individual.
Another equally important and beautiful aspect of ACP is appointing someone to speak for your and take the required and necessary steps for you when you are not able to shows the highest form of love and compassion.
Entrusting someone with your life and showing the belief that that person will do his best to ensure your values, preferences and choices is not easy but having someone truthful and loyal by your side in this tough time is a blessing.
