CVHHH offers guidance to help Central Vermonters with advance care planning
Howard Hoffman, MSW, (pictured) is a licensed clinical social worker at Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) who helps his clients, like Waitsfield resident Robert Brightbill (pictured) connect with resources to ensure that they have the necessary supports to achieve the best-possible quality of life. Howard is a member of CVHHH’s Hospice & Palliative Care team. This means that in addition to offering care and resource coordination and counseling, among other services, Howard guides his clients through the advance care planning process.
Saturday, April 16, 2022, is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day devoted to encouraging people to think about their healthcare wishes. CVHHH supports this initiative and wants to encourage Central Vermonters to take the first step in their advance care planning journey. “There may come a time when you are unable to speak for yourself,” says Howard. “Plan today. Tell those close to you what you want for your care if you become sick. Share your wants and wishes. Build a map to help your loved ones navigate the medical system.” An advance care plan is a guide that helps your family and healthcare providers know what you want in the event of a medical emergency or health crisis.
Howard says that asking yourself these types of questions can help you determine your healthcare goals and preferences. “Do I want to go to the hospital and receive treatment regardless of outcome? What are my goals if my health declines? What does a good day look like? What matters most?” Howard also encourages his clients to get to research available care options, including hospice, and to talk with family members about fears and anxieties. The earlier you have these discussions, he says, the more likely it is that your wishes are honored.
Identify the person who will serve as your health care agent. This is the individual who knows you best. It can be a friend or a loved one. Tell this person what you want, share your wishes, and ask them to help. Then, fill out the Vermont Advance Directive for Health Care, where you can appoint a health care agent and document detailed information about your healthcare goals and treatment priorities. Follow the instructions on the advance directive to register the form and ensure that your family and healthcare team have copies. This document can be amended over the course of your life to reflect changes to your life circumstances and/or healthcare wishes.
Additional resources – National Healthcare Decisions Day
Vermont Ethics Network For Vermont’s Advance Directive for Health Care, Health Care Agent form, and much more, including step-by-step guidance on how to put together a comprehensive advance care plan
Conversation Project An incredible wealth of resources and tools that you can use to start conversations with family members, loved ones, and medical providers, plus a guide for supporting people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
What is Hospice? Learn about hospice care at CVHHH and meet members of our hospice interdisciplinary team.