Why care? Why CARE?

9/11/2009

Seemingly few people want to address their end-of-life concerns, nor discuss them with their loved ones. Let's face it: each funeral of friends or family reminds us of our own personal mortality. So why care? Care is a personal concern for loved ones, prompting them to help make them make their own personal decisions, and assert their rights, while they are capable to do so. It is important for anyone to discern your rights in the health care system, about your treatment options in the event that you are not able to make decisions on your own behalf. "Advance Directives" refer to the Health Care Power of Attorney, naming individuals to act on your behalf, should you become incapacitated. More importantly, the discussions with your trusted individuals should guide their decisions on your behalf. As a health care administrator, I know of personal stories of "family arguments" in the Intensive Care Unit. Please, it is a very caring act to let your family members or other trusted friends to discuss your desires and complete this document. Then all friends and family members are all on the "same page" about knowing your wishes. Again, it is all about YOUR wishes. My Grandma Cora wanted all available treatment, and my dad pleaded with my mom for "no tubes", as he had requested. Any answer to the questions of treatment are fine, just please don't leave all of the trusted and wonderful caregivers wondering what to do, and have your family members in ugly disagreement. And why CARE? The Chippewa Valley CARE coalition was established in 1997. CARE stands for Communication Advance Directives Resources Education It has been both an honor and a privilege to be associated with this organization. The CARE Coalition has members from many health care entities in the region, does not take political stances, serves to support one another to those in need, to offer resources to others in the care-giving field. CARE is absolutely NOT a right-to-die group; neither endorses, nor supports any such efforts. The group is simply a volunteer organization of wonderful individuals that want to help people in their end-of-life. The CARE Coalition has been honored with grants from Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire and the Community Foundation of Eau Claire. JoAnn Jones, CARE Member and volunteer Treasurer