I’m giving a special gift to my sister for Christmas this year. I made a list of things that need to be done that I know keep getting put off because she doesn’t have time, so I started with “create an advanced directive for health care.” I’m not just making the suggestion that she follow through with executing a health care directive, I’m giving her a blank copy, so she doesn’t have to look for one and I’m offering to help her think through what she wants it to say.
That may not sound like a very festive gift at first. But to me, it is a caring one. A health care directive can be one of the most useful papers a person has. It can help make hard choices easier if a person gets sick or cannot speak for themselves. It also gives peace of mind now. That is a real gift during the holidays, when many of us are thinking about family, home, and what matters most.
I’m also suggesting she update her Emergency Preparedness Plan. We completed one together several years ago, and she has a Go Kit and has made other preparations, but I know she hasn’t had the time to update that plan or her Smart911 profile. So, I’m offering to help her go through the plan and look at whether it still meets her needs and whether her Smart911 profile is still accurate.
That matters because life changes. Health changes. A move, a new doctor, new medicines, or a change in family support can make an older plan less helpful. A good plan should fit the person’s life right now, not just the way things were a few years ago. If you have not looked at your emergency plan in a while, this is a good time to do it. A winter holiday can be a natural reminder to check supplies, contacts, and key information before the weather gets rough.
Making the plan easier to use
Sometimes people avoid these tasks because they feel big. They may not know where to start. They may worry they will make the wrong choice. They may just be tired. That is why help can matter so much. A blank form, a calm conversation, and a little time can turn a job that feels heavy into something more manageable.
If you are helping someone with a directive or emergency plan, try breaking it into small parts:
- Start with one form or one page.
- Set aside a quiet time with no rush.
- Talk through each choice in plain words.
- Write down names, phone numbers, and backup contacts.
- Keep copies in more than one place.
It can also help to think about who needs to know about the plan. A trusted family member, a friend, or a support person may need a copy. A doctor’s office may need one too. If a person uses a service animal, has special communication needs, or needs help with daily tasks, those details should be written down clearly.
At Disability Network Lakeshore, we can help with emergency readiness planning, and our services are free. If you need help getting started with a blank advance directive, an emergency preparedness plan, or Smart911, please call us at (616) 396-5326.
Tracking health care information
We’ve recently been talking about how difficult it is to keep track of what each of her doctor’s is telling her and what medications she’s taking to treat various illnesses and conditions. I’ve found a nice leather-bound journal where she can begin noting her doctor visits, what each one was for, the diagnoses made, and what treatments were prescribed. I think it will help her track the issues impacting her health to have a record of doctor, chiropractor, physical therapy visits, etc. and what treatments she’s had and medications that were prescribed.
I think this is a smart idea for a lot of people. When you see more than one provider, it is easy for details to get mixed up. One office may give one instruction. Another may change a medicine. A person may leave the visit feeling clear, then forget the details later. A simple journal can help.
A health notebook does not have to be fancy. A paper notebook works. So does a calendar, a folder, or a note on a phone. The important thing is to use the same place each time. Here are a few things that can be helpful to write down:
- The date of the visit
- The name of the doctor or provider
- Why the visit happened
- Any diagnosis given
- New medicines or changes to old ones
- Tests ordered or completed
- Follow-up steps
- Questions to ask next time
If you take medicine, it can also help to keep a current list. Include the name of the medicine, the dose, how often it is taken, and why it is used. This can be very helpful in an emergency, or when seeing a new provider. It may also help prevent mistakes when more than one doctor is involved.
For some people, it helps to keep copies of important papers with the health notes. These may include insurance cards, a list of allergies, emergency contacts, and the health care directive. Keeping things together can save time when stress is high.
Planning for the hard stuff too
While she has a funeral plan (she told me about it a couple of years ago), I don’t even remember what funeral home it’s with, so I’m suggesting she make a list of her important accounts, where her will is kept, and if there are any special instructions she wants me to follow should she become sick. For instance, what kind of food do her two cats eat, and are there any special instructions I would need to know about in order to properly care for them in the event she went to the hospital or even wanted to get away and travel for the winter.
This is another place where a little planning can make a big difference. People often think about wills and funeral plans, but there are many smaller details that matter too. If a person becomes sick, goes into the hospital, or is away from home for a while, someone else may need to step in fast. That person will do better if the important information is already written down.
It can help to make a simple list of:
- Important accounts and where to find them
- Where the will is kept
- Funeral home information, if there is a plan
- Names and numbers of key contacts
- Pet care instructions
- Any house or home care needs
- Special wishes or notes for family members
For pet care, simple details matter. What food do the cats eat? How much? When? Are there medicines? A favorite blanket? A litter box routine? These may seem small, but they can make care much easier if someone else has to step in on short notice.
The same is true for home and personal matters. If there are bills that must be paid, keys that need to be found, or routines that should continue, writing them down can reduce stress for everyone.
A simple holiday gift that lasts
Presents don’t have to cost a fortune! Sometimes the best ones just include a bit of time and effort on your part to make them special. Do you have someone you care about who could use a special holiday gift? Call Disability Network Lakeshore (616.396.5326) for a blank copy of an advance directive, an emergency preparedness plan, and instructions for how to create a Smart911 profile today.
A gift like this can say, “I care about your safety. I care about your choices. I want to help.” It is practical, but it is also personal. And it may help someone feel less alone when hard decisions come up.
If you have been putting off your own planning, let this be your reminder. You do not have to do it all at once. Start with one step. Make one list. Fill out one form. Ask one question. Small steps can lead to real peace of mind.
At DNL, we know that the right resources can be hard to find. We help people find and use disability resources, and we want to make that easier. If you need support, please call us at (616) 396-5326. Our services are free, and we are here to help people in Ottawa and Allegan counties.