NHDD (National Healthcare Decisions Day)
I haven't given the end of my life much thought. The realization of inevitability and the fact that I will not be cognizant of anything pretty much leaves it to those others who will be contending with my final considerations and though it doesn't bring me any comfort to ignore my demise and disposition — this is the way it's been for a long time now.In addition to taking my Bible and boning up for the final, I've been reading up on living wills, durable powers of attorney, and various other documents the responsible decedent will have prepared prior to the finale.
There is even a day set aside for such considerations and I've been looking over those materials as well.
In the end I feel that those I leave behind will be better served if I make those arrangements prior to going on out for the count because if those who remain are unaware of my final wishes ... how can I expect any of them to be honored ?
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In the United States we have an initiative called NHDD (National Healthcare Decisions Day whereby adults should make plans for health care crises before they occur.
It's aim is the provision of a written record of wishes in an effort to prevent those difficult decisions rife in those moments of serious illness ... when there may not be adequate ability to communicate leaving next of kin to try and guess those wishes in these times.
At this time patients should make arrangements for their personal wishes regarding critical care and end of life. Health care providers should also take the opportunity to discuss those matters with their patients.
Healthcare advanced directives, healthcare proxies, durable powers of attorney, last will and testament, living wills are all tantamount to the provisioning requirements of healthcare decisions others must make for you if you cannot handle these matters yourself.
There are numerous resources available which will empower your family to handle healthcare decisions in accordance with your wishes. End of life planning is not a morbid afterthought to life, it is a thoughtful handling of those matters which we all will eventually face, either prepared or not.