ACE End-of-Life Doula guides and assists you with advance care planning, advance directives, naming a health care proxy and crafting a future plan document. Our goal is to allow you to make educated, clear minded decisions that are right for you. We can help you and your family understand the importance and necessity of advance care planning, and are specifically and extensively trained to develop advance care plans based on your preferences and treatment/care goals, and your physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.

 

Advance Care Planning

 

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of reflection, discussion, and communication of treatment preferences in the event of future loss of decision-making abilities. This usually precedes and ideally leads to an advance directive.

 

Advance Directive

 

An Advance Directive (AD) is an oral or written statement in which a person declares one’s treatment preferences in the event he/she loses decision-making capacity. The goal is to have your Advance Directive completed before a health care crisis.

 

Advance Care Planning is a process whereas Advance Directives themselves are documented preferences.

 

Health Care Proxy

 

Health Care (HC) Proxy is a legal document that names someone as your proxy (or agent, surrogate) to express your wishes and make health care decisions for you if you lose decision-making capacity.

 

Future Plan

 

Future Plan is about planning for your future. It’s about living every single day with the highest quality of life. This plan is about choice, control and independence. We will discuss what resources are available and cover a variety of possible scenarios in order to have these decisions reflect the individual’s true preferences.

 

 

 

Why Is This Planning Important?

• End-Of-Life Planning can be difficult, yet it is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your family.
• Far too many families are left with the burden of decision-making when a loved one is dying, leading to unnecessary stress and anxiety.
• End-Of-Life conversations may be uncomfortable, but they are important and necessary. Studies show six months after losing a loved one, depression rates are lower in families that made advance care plans.
• Making thoughtful decisions about your care, treatment, and other end-of-life wishes while you are still in good health and clear-minded ensures your family and caretakers will feel confident honoring your documented wishes.