Author: Paula Feakes
I want to take a moment to share a story that’s very personal to me.
Next month will mark four years since my mom passed away. She was 87, healthy, and active. That day, she was on her way to play mahjong with her friends when, after getting out of the car, she fell. I don’t know if she tripped, was hit by the car door swinging shut, or if a medical event occurred.
She was rushed to the hospital, and doctors performed an emergency craniotomy. I never saw her with her eyes open again. My mom had the most beautiful eyes—one was a deep royal blue, and the other was a rich brown.
The doctors told me it was the worst brain injury they’d seen in 40 years. While she was on life support, they said she would never live a normal life and would likely spend her remaining years in an institution.
Thankfully, my mom had created a plan. I knew exactly what her wishes were. She didn’t want to be kept on life support, and she definitely didn’t want to live in a nursing home. The days leading up to the decision to let her go were the hardest of my life. But because she had a living will, outlining her final wishes and because she named me as her Health Care Proxy, I was able to honor her decisions without question. Her plan gave me the peace of mind to be present, and by her side, offering comfort as she passed.
Why am I telling you this? My mom was 87, but her story is something that could happen to anyone at any age. National Health Care Decisions Day exists to raise awareness about the importance of planning ahead—at the very least, ensuring health care documents are in place. What brought me peace during that difficult time was knowing my mom made these decisions, not me, and not a doctor who didn’t know her or what she wanted.
I encourage you to make a plan, not only for your own peace of mind but to spare your loved ones from having to make these difficult decisions on their own. Take the time to talk with the people you care about and ensure they have a plan—a legal plan, created with the help of an attorney and signed. Everyone needs to have these documents – anyone over the age of 18, married, single, divorced, parents and non-parents, healthy or sick. Don’t leave these decisions for your loved ones to agonize over.
April 16 is National Health Care Decisions Day. Take time this month to create or update your plan, and encourage others to do the same.
You can learn more about these important health care documents, or planning in general, by scheduling a free 15-minute call with our Client Services Coordinator.
Click here to book a call today.
