Communicating Your Wishes: Letting Others Know What Matters Most To You

Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, Mary Beth Callahan, Supportive Care Team Program Manager and Senior Social Worker, walks through creating an Advance Directive in the case that a patient is unable to communicate their medical treatment wishes to their healthcare team.
What Is An Advance Directive?
An Advance Directive ensures that a patient’s medical treatment is carried out to their wishes. 10 or 15 years ago, an Advance Directive was just one document. Now, DNA and other medical leaders have decided that there needs to be a more extensive plan to detail what matters most to a patient.
One resource for this form is prepareforyourcare.com, which is state-specific and accessible. You can walk through this form alongside the podcast, which will be a deep dive into the documentation of an Advance Directive, which includes preparing for end-of-life treatment and naming a decision-maker for your medical treatment.
What Is Included in an Advance Directive?
The form will dictate who is permitted to make medical decisions on your behalf, as well as the level of flexibility of those decisions and what the patient’s values regarding care are. It’s important to choose a trusted adult as a decision-maker. In the event that a patient hasn’t elected someone, many states will appoint a next of kin, spouse, or will take the decision to a court.
An Advance Directive is also crucial in determining a patient’s values and wishes. The patient can decide how much flexibility they want their decision-maker to have when it comes to certain situations. A patient may also want to specify what matters most to them. This may be prioritizing quality of life over longevity, religious or spiritual practices, and how much they would like to know about their illness.
What To Do With An Advance Care Directive
Once you’ve filled out your Advance Directive to your satisfaction, you have to sign it in front of two witnesses or a notary. From there, copies can be made for you, anyone you named in the form, and your care providers.
Callahan recommends filling the form out early and often, and revising every two years, at least. Oftentimes, patients wait too late to fill out an Advance Directive, and family members are left guessing as to their wishes. To Callahan, providing an Advance Directive is a gift to those in your life.

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Very informative video. Thank you MBC for doing this. If you could add all the websites you mention in the description, it would be greatly helpful.