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“It’s really a day to emphasize the value and importance of family members talking to each other about future medical decisions that can raise serious issues,” said Bernard Hammes, director of medical humanities at Gundersen Lutheran.
The most important thing is for people to start discussing end-of-life issues with family members and make their wishes clear and known, Hammes said.
In 1991, Hammes and Nickijo Hager, Franciscan Skemp vice president of mission and organizational development, spearheaded the La Crosse Medical Centers Task Force on Advance Directives, which has worked to educate the community about the importance of advanced planning.
A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1998 showed 85 percent of deceased patients in La Crosse had submitted advance directives, and health care institutions followed 95 percent of those directives.
“We already have done one of the best jobs in the country, but we need to continue to make sure our residents have these discussions,” Hammes said.
He said two practical things everyone should do — consider a power of attorney for health care and make it clear to family when you want to be kept alive by medical treatment.
“These are complex decisions, and not everyone is really capable of carrying out those responsibilities,” he said. “You need someone who can advocate for you and follow your values.”
Family members often are left guessing when a loved one is left with severe neurological injury, he said. “You need to decide when is the injury so bad, do you want your family to keep you alive with ongoing medical care?” Hammes said.
Ninety percent of Americans don’t want to be kept alive if they are “vegetables, but what does that mean?” he said.
Family members also should discuss the person’s religious and philosophical beliefs and how that will impact medical treatment, Hammes said.
“The best way to bring it up with your parents is to say, ‘I want to make sure I take care of you and respect your values, but I don’t understand enough. I need help here,’” he said.
What to do
Have a conversation with your family about your wishes: People need to talk with their families about whether they want to prolong life or receive only comfort care if near death or struck by sudden, devastating illness or injury.
Appoint a power of attorney for health care: Power of attorney for health care should go to someone who truly is an advocate and can carry out the person’s wishes.
Prepare an advanced directive or living will: To get advance directive documents at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, call (608) 392-9505. At www.gundersenlutheran.org, you can download a booklet about advance directives and a power of attorney for health care document that meets the state law in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. You also can call Gundersen Lutheran at (608) 775-1347 or 1-800-362-9567, ext. 51347.
For more resources, go to www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.
Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8227.
