Learn more about advance care planning
A specialist social worker explains the key information about advance care planning and why it is so important for you and your loved ones. See video on YouTube.
Advance care planning
Advance care planning is the process of thinking about, communicating and documenting your future health care wishes in case of illness, accident or sudden medical event.
Prevea360 Health Plan wants to ensure that your health care wishes are known and respected. Social workers are available to help any member over age 18 begin or continue the process of advance care planning.
Your advance care planning social worker can help you:
- Explore your personal values, beliefs and meaning of quality of life
- Weigh options for the kind of care and treatment you want or do not want
- Consider who you should appoint to speak on your behalf
- Start the conversation with family, friends, clergy, health care and other providers
- Complete advance directive documents (power of attorney for health care and living will) to clearly state your values and wishes
- Review your current advance directive to ensure it continues to reflect your wishes
Important documents for all adult patients
As part of good medical care for you and your family, it’s important for all patients to have advance directive documents filed with your provider.
An advance directive is a legal document that states how you want your health care decisions to be made if you become incapacitated or cannot express your wishes. An advance directive helps guide your doctor and your loved ones about the care you wish to receive.
Both the Power of Attorney for Health Care and the Declaration to Physicians (Living Will), when properly completed and signed, are essential parts of good planning and medical care. They not only help physicians, family and friends honor your wishes, but also relieve the pressure of decision-making at a potentially stressful time.
Power of Attorney for Health Care
The most important document is the Power of Attorney for Health Care form, which allows you to appoint someone to make treatment decisions on your behalf if you're unable to so.
The person you appoint should be:
- At least 18 years of age
- Aware of your values and wishes
- Willing to make decisions that are consistent with your wishes
- Able to communicate your wishes to the health care team
Your agent may be a spouse/partner, trusted relative or friend. This document can also include information that specifies your treatment preferences.
Declaration to Physicians (Living Will)
The Declaration to Physicians (Living Will), is a type of advance directive that lists specific medical preferences. It is sometimes used as an addendum to a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. It's also called a “directive to physicians,” “health care declaration” or “medical directive.”
Note: This form can be used when an agent is difficult to assign. In such case, one can work with their physician to discuss and complete this form.