We can’t fight the inevitable but we can plan for it. Part of living is dying. For most it’s an unsettling topic of discussion. Too often a dying family member’s wishes are unknown. Sometimes these wishes are heard too late to properly honor them. Part of dying is discussing end of life wishes. These can be as simple as funeral planning, discussions about cremation or where do they want to be buried, musical selections and designated eulogists. Or these discussions can be more complex. They can involve where they want to die – at home, a hospital or long-term care facility. Planning both empowers and unburdens you and your loved ones.

It’s important to have a plan, and discussions with doctors and attorneys about end-of-life can help. The creation of advance directives and use of a do-not-resuscitate orders are just as important as the selection of a hospice provider and what location you want to receive services, and that can be anywhere you call home.

Do you have a plan? Do you know your loved one’s wishes? If you don’t, experts suggest getting your “affairs in order.” You can map out your advance directives with the help of Five Wishes®. This offering generates a printed document for $5 that spells out, in very easy to understand terms, how your wishes can be honored should you become critically ill or die untimely.

Five Wishes is divided into these sections:

• The Person I Want to Make Care Decisions for Me When I Can’t
• The Kind of Medical Treatment I Want or Don’t
• How Comfortable I Want to Be
• How I Want People to Treat Me
• What I Want My Loved Ones to Know.

Each section has an explanation with easy checkboxes, lines to fill in, and statements to cross out. It may look overwhelming, but once started it becomes less daunting. Five Wishes is recognized nationally and will also advise you of any necessary forms that may need to be filled for your wish fulfillment in your state. Five Wishes® can be found at https://www.fivewishes.org/

Discussing end of life wishes may seem too soon, until it’s too late. The holidays can actually be a great opportunity to make time with loved ones to have these conversations.

Rachel Powell is a Business Development Manager with Michigan Community VNA (Visiting Nurses Association) specializing in home care and hospice coordination. She received her degree in Community Health Education and has a passion for advocating patients rights and wishes.