Marquette, MI – (mediaBrew Communications) – On our latest Upper Peninsula Health Plan Update we heard about Advance Care Planning.
Laura McLain, RN, BSN, Clinical Coordinator Care Manager and Advance Care Planning Facilitator Instructor with Upper Peninsula Health Plan joined the Sunny Morning Show to talk about what advance care planning is and why it’s recommended.
Renee Anderton, CHES, Community Health Worker, Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions (UPHCS)/ Upper Peninsula Health Plan also joined the show to talk about how to approach advance care planning from the standpoint of opening the conversations that are needed to create a plan that honors your goals and values for current and future health care if you are unable to speak for yourself.
McClain explained that there are two main aspects to advance care planning, the first is assigning yourself a patient advocate that you trust who will accept the responsibility of ensuring that your wishes are carried out if you are unable to express them.
The second is an advance directive, which is a legal document that describes your specific preferences for medical treatment in case you are unable to do this. This document will only be used if you become so ill or injured you cannot communicate your wishes yourself.
Anderton talked about the “Make a Plan, Share a Plan” project that is aimed at improving access to advance care planning for all adults in the Upper Peninsula.
They also talked about why advance care planning is important and who should have an advance directive.
More information is available by calling (906)225-6742, logging onto www.Uphcs.org or makingchoicesmichigan.org.
LISTEN IN – Laura McClain and Renee Anderton with more about Advance Care Planning.
