This is how advance care planning brings peace of mind

(BPT) - You can probably imagine how important it is for someone with a serious illness to have an advance care directive — instructions about their wishes in the event they're unable to communicate what they want in the future. The fact is, 1 out of 3 people will need someone to speak for them in a healthcare emergency. That means making your wishes clear in case of a future medical condition or emergency is recommended for everyone, while they're still healthy.

National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, is a good reminder to start or complete your advance care planning (ACP). While it can be difficult to think about, making plans now will bring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

For the past 15 years, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has been encouraging healthy people to outline their wishes in an advance directives plan so their providers, family and caregivers understand their wishes in case of a medical emergency or serious illness.

"It's crucial for everyone to make plans reflecting your care wishes," said Dr. Michael Gabriel, national medical director for Carelon Palliative Care. "While the topic is uncomfortable, having a clear plan in place when you need one lets you focus on what matters. It also helps your loved ones avoid indecision, conflict or guilt at a very stressful time."

Palliative care planning

Your planning should include your wishes regarding palliative care. When someone faces a serious chronic or terminal illness, palliative care helps provide the best possible quality of life at a difficult time. The palliative care teams at Carelon help their members use advance care planning to guide their healthcare decisions now — making plans reflecting each individual's unique wishes for the days ahead.

Each physician-led interdisciplinary palliative care team includes a nurse practitioner, nurse and social worker, who work together to support people with their medical, emotional and social needs. Carelon's home-based palliative care program is designed to complement your doctor's care, not replace it.

"It offers extra support when you need it most, helping you feel less overwhelmed," added Gabriel. "You can receive palliative care alongside your treatment, which helps ease daily challenges and helps you navigate the healthcare system."

Benefits of advance care planning

ACP facilitates important personal discussions that ensure your values are expressed and your wishes are honored if you can't communicate them yourself.

Carelon's physician-led care team can help you make informed healthcare choices, and their social workers can assist with creating advance directives (legal documents). This may include a living will for future health care choices, and a durable power of attorney (healthcare proxy) that names someone to make decisions for you if you can't. With Carelon and ACP, you and your loved ones benefit from:

• Decision guidance: Helps you make important decisions based on your preferences.
• Symptom management: Work with your healthcare team to boost your health and quality of life.
• Patient-centered care: Your doctors and care team tailor treatment to how and where you want to receive care.
• Peace of mind: Documenting your wishes eases future stress for you and loved ones, helping them avoid tough decisions.
• Timely hospice transitions: Helps ensure easy transitions to hospice care, honoring your wishes and minimizing hospital visits.

What to know about hospice

When needed, Carelon helps advise people and their families on hospice care options. Carelon Palliative Care can help you manage your condition, and as you improve, guide your care back to your primary doctors. The team also helps when treatments no longer work, assisting with important decisions around hospice care, focusing on comfort and quality of life.

While Carelon is not a hospice provider, the team's hospice experts can explain the process and answer questions for you and your loved ones. They can help you find top care nearby, and usually transition you within 24 hours.

"Hospice provides a wraparound comfort bubble for families," added Gabriel. "It's very common for people to wait until very close to death to enroll in hospice, but our palliative care doctors, nurse practitioners and other team members are experts at identifying when members are eligible for hospice care."

Carelon patients that transition to hospice care have a median stay of about 39 days, compared to the 18-day national average. Earlier transition to hospice care, when appropriate, means patients experience:

• Better care: Avoids unnecessary treatments that may increase suffering without improving quality of life.
• Less stress: Families can enjoy more time together.
• Lower costs: Reduces hospital stays and procedures.
• Clearer communication: Ensures care aligns with your needs.
• Better outcomes: Patients can choose where they pass, like at home.

Who should consider advance care planning?

Everyone should discuss end-of-life wishes with their healthcare providers and loved ones, ideally when healthy. It's even more crucial if you have chronic conditions, family history of serious illness, changing health status or are near end of life. Advance care planning now is key to better end-of-life care, so you'll be able to better shape your future care according to your wishes.

Learn more about palliative care and advance care planning at Carelon.com.