Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 26

Q

What if I Don't
Designate a
Decision Maker?

You don't have to choose someone to make
decisions for you. In that case, if you're
unable to make medical decisions for yourself, your state likely has a plan in place-
called a "natural order of priority"-that
outlines who is called upon. But that outcome can be undesirable for two reasons:
The person named to make decisions for
you might not be the person you would
choose, and that person might be forced
to make difficult decisions quickly without
knowing what you would want.

Q

How Should My Wishes
Be Carried Out?

Your living will outlines the type
of care you would like if you couldn't make
decisions on your own. "It's about making sure you're given a voice to talk when
you can no longer use your own," Banach
says. Your doctor can help you decide what
to include.

TACKLING THE TALK

Some families manage life care planning conversations matter-of-factly.
But for others, these conversations
prove challenging.
Discomfort is natural, but it can be
overcome. Financial planner Elizabeth
Revenko recommends a game called
Hello (commonpractice.com/hello).
The game encourages family members
to ask each other questions like, "What
music do you want to be listening to on
your last day alive?" The answers can help
everyone get clarity about their wishes,
so completing the documents is easier.
"And if there's a subject someone doesn't
want to discuss, you can move on to the
next thing," Revenko says.

26

W IN TER 2017

Edo Banach, of the National Hospice
and Palliative Care Organization, recommends starting these conversations when
the family is gathered for an event such
as a birthday or Thanksgiving. Talking
about these issues when someone is sick,
or when someone is scheduling surgery,
adds to the stress.
"It's important that this be done before
there's a crisis," he says. "It's easier to
have these conversations when there
isn't any drama. When there's drama
going on, that's when it's most difficult to
get consensus."
If your family is struggling to have
these conversations, professionals such
as elder-care service providers can help.

Ask your doctor for a recommendation, or search online for providers in
your area.

DOWNLOAD

Ready to Take
the Next Step?
The National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization
offers downloadable advance
directives for every state. Visit
caringinfo.org to get started.



http://www.commonpractice.com/hello http://www.caringinfo.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi

Contents
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - Cover1
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - Cover2
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - Contents
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 2
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 3
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 4
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 5
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 6
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 7
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Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 26
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 27
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 28
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Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 30
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Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - 56
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - Cover3
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - North Mississippi - Cover4
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/vimvigor_2011winter-nm
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/vimvigor_2010summer-nm
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/nmmc_communityreport09
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/vimvigor_2010spring-nm
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