Having a family conversation about a health care directive

At some point, though, end-of-life wishes should be discussed with family members, so there are no surprises. Having a conversation about end-of-life care is never easy, but it can be done in a way that espouses caring, concern and love and with the point being that no one wants to be a burden on their loved ones or to leave them to make decisions they would find extremely difficult to make. There are many tools available in Florida to make these talks easier.

Some of those tools include having a living will which spells out a person’s wishes for end of life care and a do not resuscitate order (DNR) – a physician-signed document that lets health care professionals know not to perform CPR on a person should his or her heart stop or if he or she stops breathing. People can also name a durable power of attorney. Such a person would be able to make health care decisions for a person in the event he or she isn’t able to do so.

There are other areas associated with a health care directive. Florida residents who are unclear about what can and can’t be included in such a document might feel more enlightened after speaking to an attorney. Estate planning documents are important not only for the one writing them, but for their family members. No one wants to impart added burdens onto loved ones.