How Five Wishes can help with advance care planning

From an article in Intermountain Health: too many people believe advance care planning is only for those who are very old and who have a chronic or terminal condition. Not true, according to Dr. Saloni Shah of the Intermountain Medical Center. “It's for anyone who wants to have a say in their medical care, regardless of age or health status. None of us can predict the future, but ACP empowers you to prepare for it.” Of course, our favorite advance directive is Five Wishes, the nation’s premier advance care planning program that is more than 25 years old and available in 32 language (bilingual) and in Braille. People love that it considers all a person’s needs, not just medical and legal. https://ow.ly/KFNz50Se6ZY #fivewishes #acp #advancecareplanning #advancedirective #livingwill

Inside this article is the NIH ACP conversation guide.

Ever wondered what it's like to be a nurse or doctor? It's not always easy. Healthcare heroes, especially our dedicated nurses, face relentless challenges every day. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral injury silently erode their well-being and ability to care for themselves as well as others. These hidden struggles not only affect individual lives but also ripple through the entire healthcare system. Case Study: Meet Sarah, an ER Nurse's Silent Battle ~Long shifts and high-pressure environments leave her physically and mentally drained. ~Deep emotional connections with patients lead to emotional exhaustion. ~Resource constraints prevent her from providing the level of care her patients deserve, leaving her exhausted, guilt-ridden, and disillusioned. Sarah's story is not unique. I am honored to participate in a Round Table Discussion Hosted by the Washington State Hospital Association. Date: June 13th, 2024. Event Highlights: ~An in-depth exploration of the key stressors plaguing healthcare professionals. ~Practical strategies and tools to overcome burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral injury. ~Actionable steps to enhance personal well-being and professional fulfillment. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient healthcare community. A big thanks to Trish L. Anderson MBA BSN CPHQ for making this event happen! #Resilience #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #Healthcare

Advance care planning is the process of discussing and documenting our preferences for medical care in case we are unable to make decisions for ourselves. It ensures our values, wishes, and preferences are respected and helps guide our loved ones and healthcare professionals in making decisions on our behalf. Yet, these discussions still do not occur as often as they should. I find myself having these conversations with patients too far upstream. We must continue integrating meaningful ways to incorporate these conversations much sooner in the care provided and received. 👇 #palliative #palliativemedicine #palliativecare #hospice #hospicecare #hpm #hapc #nach #soinspalliatifs #cuidadospaliativos #advancecareplanning #palliatievezorg

Advanced Care Planning Advance care planning involves discussing and preparing for future decisions about your medical care if you become seriously ill or unable to communicate your wishes. Having meaningful conversations with your loved ones is the most important part of advance care planning. Many people also choose to put their preferences in writing by completing legal documents called advance directives. The National Institue on Aging offers a free Advance Care Planning: A Conversation Guide. Click below to access the guide. https://lnkd.in/ewA93XXd

Balancing Professional Care and Personal Well-Being As healthcare professionals, we dedicate our lives to caring for others. It’s a calling, a passion, and often an integral part of our identity. However, there’s a paradox we often face: we are great at advocating for our patients’ well-being while neglecting our own. This tension hit home last week when I was grappling with a fever and debating whether to take time off. If a patient had come to me with the same symptoms, I would have urged them to rest and recover. I would have emphasised the importance of listening to their body and allowing time for healing. Yet, when it came to my own health, I struggled to offer myself the same compassion. The guilt crept in almost immediately. “Who would cover my responsibilities?” “Would I be letting my team down?” “How would my patients feel if I cancelled their appointments?” Even as my body demanded rest, my mind churned with self-criticism. It’s ironic, isn’t it? We champion self-care for others but often resist it for ourselves. Sometimes I feel this resistance stems from the culture of healthcare which is built on resilience, pushing through exhaustion, and putting others first. While these traits can be strengths, they often become barriers to our own well-being. Lying in bed feeling utterly sorry for myself, I confronted a harsh truth: my reluctance to care for myself reflected unrealistic expectations I’d internalised about being a “good” doctor. Taking time off wasn’t easy. The guilt lingered, but I reminded myself that my health matters too. Caring for myself doesn’t diminish my dedication to my work—it reinforces it. When we prioritise our well-being, we’re not just helping ourselves; we’re setting an example. We’re showing our patients, colleagues, and future caregivers that all health—including our own—is important. Reflecting on that week, I realize it’s not just okay to rest—it’s necessary. Stepping back to care for ourselves is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom. By valuing our own health, we build the capacity to care for others with greater presence, empathy, and strength.

Heading into a new week, it's time to reflect on the extraordinary resilience of the care industry. ❤️ We've all witnessed remarkable courage and dedication as healthcare workers consistently go above and beyond. And with every shift, they remind us of the powerful impact of collective perseverance. At Newton Healthcare, every hand that helps, every kind word shared, and every challenge met with a smile is a testament to our values. Honesty, courage, inclusion - these aren't just words; they're the pillars that hold up the very essence of care. Our team, from Healthcare Assistants to Nurses and Support Workers, make a difference every day. They don't just work in healthcare; they live it with passion and unwavering commitment, ensuring the elderly, those with mental health needs, and young ones receive the care they deserve. So here's to starting the week with a renewed spirit of care. 🌟 If you're in the industry and share our mission, let's connect. #CareIndustry #HealthcareHeroes #NewtonHealthcare 🩺🤝

Have you had the "talk" with your loved ones yet? No, not that "talk". The other one. Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day, which makes it the perfect time to start the conversation about healthcare decisions for you and your loved ones. It's daunting, but it's important to be prepared. As someone who has been through it firsthand, I understand how overwhelming and excruciating the experience can be. I'm here to help. If you're feeling extra scared to have the "talk," don't worry. There are resources available to help you navigate the conversation. Here's a quick one to get you started: https://lnkd.in/gKwvMeGz. Remember, advanced care planning is crucial for both you and your loved ones. Let's start the conversation today. #elderlycare #healthcare #healthcaredecisions #caregiver

Rekindling Compassion in Healthcare: A Doctor's Journey “I maybe have a tiny shred of compassion.” A doctor I know wrote this about a prospective patient who had been verbally abusive to many health care professionals. This patient, whom I was caring for, was a person of color, living out of their car, doing hard, low-paying work, and distrusting the healthcare system due to a lifetime of betrayals. Moral distress and burnout are rampant among healthcare professionals. Simple gestures from administrators aren't enough. What we need are the time and resources to provide the care our patients deserve. Despite a profit-driven, individualistic system, individual doctors can make a difference by connecting with patients and earning their trust. Recently, I convinced a colleague to take on this challenging patient. Their simple act of kindness broke through the patient’s shell of anger, showing that human connection is the ultimate performance incentive. In serving our patients with compassion, we find fulfillment and hope. #CompassionInHealthcare #HealthcareReform #PatientCare #MedicalEthics #TrustInMedicine

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and we wanted to share this article that touches on the importance of the role nurses play in men’s health. It is well-known that men often wait to see a medical provider until symptoms become severe. Take this month to educate yourself on men’s health and how our healthcare systems can better support men to live healthier lives. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gab9VhWg #menshealthawareness #menshealthmonth