Message from the President

It’s a common reaction. Most of us would rather put off “the discussion” as long as possible. But it’s not as difficult as most people think, and it’s easier now than it will be later.

What “discussion” am I talking about? It’s about making your own healthcare decisions near the end of your life.

So you’re probably thinking: “This is a pretty depressing topic.” But don’t stop reading just yet. This difficult topic can actually be hopeful, and even inspiring.

Of course most of us have already faced the decisions related to end-of-life care with someone we love. If you haven’t yet, you probably will someday. It’s all too common to have the family gather around a dying loved one and not be sure about those end-of-life preferences. In fact, it’s not uncommon for families to have outright disagreements. I was a part of helping to ensure my grandmother and my mother got the health care they preferred at the end of their lives. Although they were sad times, it was so much easier knowing for certain what health care our loved ones wanted, and what they didn’t want.

One of our residents at Pine Ridge was listed as a “full-code” which means if she suffered a massive stroke, we would send her by ambulance to Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, start IVs, intubate her, ventilate her, and do our best to prolong her life. Whether or not she wanted that care.

Our resident was a full-code not necessarily because that was what she wanted, but because that has become the default—for everyone. If you don’t express your wishes when you are physically and mentally able, then the default is to do everything we possibly can to keep you alive. That type of health care is not only futile it is disrespectful of most people’s actual preference.

So our resident met with our Speak for Yourself, Plan Your Care facilitator who had a conversation about end-of-life wishes. After the discussion, our resident and her daughter had a much better idea of what she would want and not want in her healthcare. They knew that she wanted to remain at Pine Ridge and not go to the hospital when her time came. They completed an Advance Directive and specified her wishes. Several weeks later, the mother passed away peacefully at Pine Ridge. Her wishes were known and honored.

In April, we celebrate National Healthcare Decisions Week. The purpose is very simple. Have a conversation with those you love about what they would want if they were facing a life-threatening condition and unable to speak for themselves. Make sure you also let them know what you would want if you were near the end of your life.

If you need help thinking through or having those conversations, you can learn more about Speak for Yourself, Plan Your Care by visiting www.caring-circle/planyourcare.  To request a facilitated conversation, call (269) 429-7100 or email ACP@lakelandhealth.org.