The Have You Had the Talk™ Campaign urges all adults to consider what
kind of care and plans they want followed if they ever need to rely on
someone else for their medical care and decision making. The best time
to plan and prepare is when there is no emergency, no crisis, no
scrambling. The Talk is a gift to anyone who needs to know what you
want when you can no longer speak for yourself. And it is a gift of
peace of mind to you.
First:
* Clarify your wishes,
* organize your paperwork,
* and have The Talk with the people you love.
If you become ill, does your spouse or your child know who your doctors
are? Do they know the names of the prescriptions you take, what you
take them for and the correct dosage? Do you think they know your
health status?
It may surprise you: they probably don't.
Have You Had the Talk™ is a campaign to get people talking about the
important things that never get talked about.
TOOLS
Hospice of Michigan has prepared a document packet that offers valuable tools for having The Talk, including a worksheet, caregiver instructions, medical information, legal forms and more.
In Case of Emergency (ICE) wallet card
The ICE card allows you to have important contact and medical information at your fingertips. Keep one copy in your wallet and share the others with your loved ones.
The Document Packet includes an Advance Directives form that can be filled out and copied for family members and caregivers. For those who prefer an online form, Compassion and Choices.org offers a terrific form tailored to the laws prescribed by each state. This option allows you to update the form easily and share it with your loved ones. Find your state's form on the link above.
