Understanding Healthcare Directives Part 2

Hi there,

Welcome back to “Your Canadian Senior Moment”! Yesterday, we introduced Healthcare Directives, understanding what they are and the importance of using your province’s correct terminology. Today, let’s dive into why these documents are so incredibly crucial for you as a Canadian senior, and what powerful choices they allow you to make.

A Healthcare Directive isn’t just about a piece of paper; it’s about safeguarding your autonomy. It ensures that your deeply held values, beliefs, and preferences about medical treatment are respected, even if a time comes when you’re unable to communicate them yourself. Your voice remains active and authoritative.

Think about the burden this removes from your loved ones. Without a clear directive, your family might face agonizing decisions during a crisis, trying to guess what you would have wanted in complex medical situations. Your directive removes this immense stress, providing clear guidance and comfort to those you love, knowing they are honouring your explicit wishes.

This document also allows you to be very specific about the care you wish to receive, or refuse. You can clearly state if you want to decline certain life-sustaining treatments, such as mechanical ventilation, artificial feeding, or CPR, especially if you are in a persistent vegetative state or have a terminal illness with no hope of recovery. Conversely, you can also specify your preferences for comfort care, pain management, and dignity if you are nearing the end of life. Your directive can cover:

• Your Values and Beliefs: What truly matters to you regarding your quality of life, dignity, and independence.

• Specific Medical Treatments: Your preferences for or against CPR, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition/hydration, antibiotics (in certain conditions), dialysis, surgery, or organ donation.

• Goals of Care: Whether your primary goal is to prolong life at all costs, or to prioritize comfort and quality of life in a given situation.

• Designating a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM): This is a cornerstone of the directive. You appoint a trusted person (or persons) who will legally make healthcare decisions for you if you become incapable. This SDM is bound to follow your wishes as expressed in your directive, or make decisions based on your known values.

Knowing you’ve planned ahead provides immense peace of mind for you, and for your family, who will feel confident they are upholding your explicit desires.

Your Daily Quick Tip: Choosing Your Substitute Decision Maker (SDM)

When choosing your SDM, select someone you trust implicitly, who understands your values, and who is willing and capable of advocating for your wishes, even if it might be difficult. Have an open, in-depth conversation with them about your desires before you finalize your directive.

Our Shared Wisdom: The Gift of Clarity

Consider the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family won’t have to guess what you want during a difficult time. How does the idea of giving your loved ones this “gift of clarity” resonate with you? What specific conversations might you need to have with your chosen SDM or family members about your preferences?

Keep the Conversation Going!

Have you ever had to make a difficult medical decision for a loved one, or discussed specific end-of-life wishes with your family? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Your stories can truly help others in our Canadian Senior Moment community prepare themselves.

We’ll conclude our series on Healthcare Directives on Monday with Part 3, focusing on the crucial steps to create, share, and review your directive.

(Please remember: We are not legal or medical professionals. The information above is for educational purposes only. For personalized legal advice regarding Healthcare Directives or any medical decisions, consult a qualified, licensed lawyer or healthcare provider in your province.)

Warmly,
Bill & Marilyn
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment