By Peggy Sue McRae, Journal contributor

If you are a senior, for your loved ones, for your medical care providers, and for your own peace of mind, getting your end-of-life preferences in writing, signed and notarized, is a wise thing to do. Nonetheless, it can be a daunting task. It requires contemplation of future medical emergencies and indeed the end of life.

Grappling with the details of how we hope to approach the end of our lives means coming to terms with an understanding that our lives are going to end. When it comes to our own mortality the notion can be pretty hard to wrap our heads around. Advance care directive forms are the kind of paperwork that can sit on a shelf or in a drawer for a long time filed under, “I’ll think about that later”.

Recently I attended a presentation at the Mullis Center on Advanced Care Planning called “Your Voice, You’re Choice” presented by representatives from PeaceHealth. They walked us through filling out an advance care directive. This consists of 2 major elements. 1. Selecting an agent or representative. This person will make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to communicate. 2. Putting into writing your wishes regarding your treatment and care.

Choosing your representative is critical. Ideally, this is someone who knows you well enough to accurately represent your wishes. You want to be sure to communicate your wishes clearly to this person.

One form in the “Your Voice, You’re Choice” packet we were given is a “Values and Meaningful Life Worksheet”. This is to help you figure out for yourself what would constitute a meaningful life when your health has been compromised and decisions need to be made. At what point do you want to, “pull the plug” so to speak. Also on this form are 2 small boxes. One is labeled “Quality of life looks like…” and the other “My spiritual beliefs/cultural traditions include…” I might need more than an inch. It will take finesse to be succinct regarding some of these weighty topics.

Another option or guide to completing an advanced directive is the 5 Wishes document. Nearly 20 years ago I filled out a Five Wishes document. Long overdue for an update this advance directive is similar to the “Your Voice, You’re Choice” documents. The Five Wishes include 1. The Person I want to make care decisions for me when I can’t. 2. The kind of medical treatment I want or don’t want. 3. How comfortable I want to be. 4. How I want people to treat me. 5. What I want my loved ones to know.

When I first filled out the Five Wishes document I took a few days personal retreat at the Buddhist Center on Mt. Dallas. While you may not have the luxury of a retreat I recommend setting aside some thoughtful quiet time to contemplate these important questions. Your future self may be very glad that you did.

Watch a pre-recorded version of the “Your Voice, You’re Choice” workshop at: https://www.peacehealth.org/advance-care-planning/classes.

Learn more about 5 wishes: https://www.fivewishes.org/