Talk About It

Talk About It and Make Your Values Known

Death is universal and inevitable, but thinking and talking about death is not easy. However, more and more, medical, social and legal institutions are recognizing and encouraging an individual's right to actively participate in decision making about end-of-life care and activity according to his or her own personal values.

Your Advance Healthcare Directive is only one important part of the communication that is necessary to ensure that the last stages of your life are appropriately tailored to meet your needs and goals. You must also actively involve your family and personal physician in discussions about your values and goals in order to better assure that the instructions set out in your Advance Healthcare Directive are understood and followed.