Conversations about end-of-life care

Talking to your loved ones and doctors about your healthcare preferences helps you to explore what kind of care you want at the end of life. It’s the first step in making sure your wishes are known in case you are not able to communicate or make decisions during a health crisis.

Schedule an appointment with one of our Honoring Choices facilitators to start creating your advance care plan. Advance care directives guide your family and healthcare providers to make decisions for you if you are unable to communicate for yourself.

Understand your past as you look forward

We are all influenced by our upbringing, education, faith as well as our hopes and dreams. That’s why conversations with loved ones may be difficult to begin. They can expose differences between you and the people you love.

For example, a husband who is suffering from a terminal illness may be ready to stop life-sustaining measures. He may feel treatments are invasive or interfering with his ability to spend quality time with his family. His wife may be holding on to hope or just not ready to let him go.

Remember your conversations can bring greater closeness and clarity about how you want to live your life and spend your last days with your loved ones.

Write down your decisions

Written documents can help your family and doctors better understand your choices. They also give a clear guide about how to serve as your healthcare advocate if you are unable to communicate or make decisions. By writing down your wishes, you also can define what you need to ensure your family respects your choices.

We can help

Learn more about end-of-life care or contact Goshen Hospice, (574) 364-2700.

Additional resources

These websites may help you begin a conversation about end-of-life care with your family: