Advance Care Planning
What is Advance Care Planning?
It’s never too early to start thinking about what matters most to you, especially when it comes to your health. While it can be difficult to imagine a time when you might be seriously ill or unable to make your own medical decisions, planning ahead ensures your voice is heard and your care aligns with your values.
At Slidell Memorial Hospital, we believe your choices should guide your care, no matter your condition. You may have had personal experiences visiting a loved one in the hospital or ICU, or seen situations in movies or on TV that made you think about what you would want in similar circumstances.
Reflecting on those moments is an important first step in advance care planning.
Once you’ve taken time to consider your wishes and discuss them with your loved ones, the next step is to put them in writing. At Slidell Memorial Hospital, we’re making this easier through a digital tool called MyDirectives, which features the user-friendly “Five Wishes” document.
Visit MyDirectives to create your account and begin the process today.
What are the five wishes?
The Five Wishes are:
- The person I want to make care decisions for me
This section lets you choose someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to make them yourself. - The kind of medical treatment I want or don't want
Here, you can share your preferences for the kind of medical care you would want if you are unable to communicate and unlikely to recover. - How comfortable I want to be
This part focuses on your comfort and pain relief, giving you the opportunity to share how you want to be cared for both physically and emotionally if you're experiencing pain or discomfort. - How I want people to treat me
This section addresses your personal and emotional needs, including how you want to be treated by your family, friends and caregivers. - What I want my loved ones to know
This section allows you to share your thoughts, feelings, and final wishes with your family and loved ones to help them understand the choices you've made about your end-of-life care.
What are Advance Directives?
An advance directive is a legal document that helps ensure your medical care reflects your wishes if you're ever unable to make decisions for yourself. It's usually completed ahead of time and can include general preferences or specific instructions based on what matters most to you.
What is a living will?
This legal document outlines the types of medical treatment you want if you are ever unable to make decisions or speak for yourself. It only takes effect if you become suddenly ill or lose the ability to make decisions, and it is typically completed before any illness arises. You complete it yourself, and unless there is other known information, your wishes must be followed. For the document to be valid, it requires the signatures of two witnesses.