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Have you ever had to care for a loved
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one during a long illness or at the end
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of their life? You might have had to
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make difficult decisions about their
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care, even when you were not sure what
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they would want for themselves. Advanced
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care planning is a way for you to record
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your wishes for your care in the event
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you become unable to make decisions for
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yourself. A serious life-threatening
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illness could leave you unable to
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communicate or make healthcare
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decisions. But if you map out the types
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of care you want and don't want in
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advance before you get sick, then your
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doctors and family have a guide to
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follow. Start by talking with your
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doctor and learning about your options.
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Write a list of questions to ask because
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these talks will help you make
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thoughtful choices. You don't have to
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have all the answers at first. Next,
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talk with your family and friends. Think
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about who you want to make health care
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decisions for you when you're unable to,
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the types of treatment you may or may
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not want, and how comfortable you want
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to be when it comes to pain management.
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Then create advanced directives. These
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are written instructions, a living will
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that outlines your treatment choices,
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and a power of attorney that identifies
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who will make decisions for you when you
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cannot. Share your advanced directives
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with your doctors, trusted family, and
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friends, and your health plan. Make sure
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to review them every year because your
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wishes could change. Although you're not
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required to have advanced directives,
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it's important that you consider
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creating them, even if you're in good
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health. And advanced care planning is
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not just for older adults. People of all
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ages should take planning steps long
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before they ever think they need to.
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That's the only way to truly be
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prepared. Many times during a crisis,
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family members have a difficult time
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making decisions. Advanced directives
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help your family know what you want
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during a critical time, taking the
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burden of tough decisions off them. Your
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advanced directives represent you and
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your wishes.
