Planning for the end: Advanced directives

Making plans for your own death can feel morbid, but creating advanced directives ensures your final wishes are carried out. The worst thing you can do to your survivors is leave them with no information on what you wanted in the event of your death, or worse yet any guidance on what to do if you need CPR or end up dependent on machines to sustain your life in a catatonic state.

Advanced directives are legal documents that dictate your preferences for end-of-life medical care and what happens after you die. You can also say that you do not want CPR or specific medical care such as not wanting blood transfusions or IV medicine. This is especially important for people with religion or personal preferences against advanced medical care.

First, decide if you want a living will. This details the types of medical treatments you want to receive if you need it. Be as specific as possible. Do you want to be kept on life support? What about feeding tubes and CPR? Maybe you are willing to accept CPR but do not want advanced medicines such as morphine, nitroglycerine, or fentanyl. Outline any scenarios where you would not want heroic measures taken to prolong your life.

You should also consider a healthcare power of attorney document (HPOA). This person will make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. It is not a full power of attorney where they make every decision for you – it is limited only to committing to specific medical care. Choose someone you trust who understands your values and beliefs. Make sure they are willing to take on this responsibility. Have a lengthy conversation with them about what you want and remind them regularly. You can share a document between each other that they can refer to if they forget anything.

To handle financial and estate matters, establish a financial power of attorney (FPOA). This gives someone authority to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated or after your death. Like your healthcare POA, pick someone ethical and financially competent. This person will have the ability to commit your money for medical bills and nothing else.

In your will, you can name guardians for minor children or pets, make funeral arrangements, and give instructions for distributing your assets. Update beneficiaries on retirement accounts and insurance policies as well. It is important to use an attorney to ensure it abides by Alaska law, and there are many attorneys that specialize in this.

Store all these documents in a safe but accessible place and give copies to your POAs and close family in case they need to be quickly accessed. Review them periodically and update if your circumstances change. If you live alone, place a copy of your living will or other document that medical caregivers will need on your refrigerator. Make it very visible. You can also notify responders that you have a document by calling the nonemergency phone number for dispatch (907-352-5401) and telling them where responders can find it. They will also give you information on a couple different apps that response agencies use to share critical information for incoming responders.

A lot of people may know about the Comfort One end-of-life planning program in Alaska. Not as many people are aware that the program was replaced with Honoring Choices Alaska. This new statewide initiative provides resources to help you create customized advanced directives. Whereas Comfort One was more of a checklist program, Honoring Choices Alaska is specific to the individual. Their website https://www.akpolst.org/ has free advance directive forms and advertises occasional workshops in communities. These documents are created between the doctor and the patient directly – the government does not get involved in filling them out or approving anything.

While planning for your own death isn't fun, having clear advanced directives provides immense peace of mind. It lessens the burden on your loved ones because they will know that your care preferences are honored. Take control and make your end-of-life wishes known today.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.