Case Study: Individuals and Close Contacts

Sarah was Anxious about the End of her Life

Project Background

Sarah was a single woman in her mid-60s who lived independently and was in generally good health. However, she often found herself reflecting on her future and what would happen if she were ever incapacitated due to a serious illness or medical emergency. As someone without close family members to advocate for her, Sarah was concerned that her healthcare wishes, especially regarding life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life care, might not be honoured by the healthcare system.

She knew that, without clear documentation of her preferences, her wishes could be overlooked or misinterpreted by medical professionals, especially in a high-stress emergency situation. With these concerns weighing heavily on her mind, Sarah decided to seek professional assistance to ensure her healthcare decisions would be respected if she were unable to communicate them herself.

Mandate

Sarah had clear objectives: to help her navigate the healthcare system, understand the available options for formalizing her medical wishes, and ensure that her preferences regarding serious illness and end-of-life care would be respected by healthcare providers. Specifically, she wanted us to:

Educate her about serious illness planning, risks and benefits, or various interventions and end-of-life practices;
Assist her in drafting and formalizing the document to ensure it clearly communicated her desires;
Help her share these documents with her healthcare providers, ensuring that her wishes will be respected.

Methodology

To fulfill Sarah’s mandate, we employed a detailed, step-by-step approach that involved both education and practical assistance:

Initial Consultation and Needs Assessment: We met with Sarah to understand her concerns and gather information about her values and preferences. We focused on understanding her specific medical wishes, particularly around life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life decisions.

Education on advance care planning: We provided Sarah with an in-depth explanation of various advance care planning documents, including advance medical directives, goals of care, healthcare powers of attorney, and Plan Well Guide. This step was critical in ensuring Sarah understood the limitations of each option.

Coordination with Healthcare Providers: We helped Sarah reach out to her primary care physician and specialists to ensure they had copies of her documents and were informed of her healthcare preferences. We also provided guidance on how Sarah could ensure her wishes would be accessible during hospital admissions or emergency situations.

Ongoing Support and Updates: Recognizing that values and preferences may change over time, we set up a plan for Sarah to review and update her documents periodically.

Impact

The intervention had a profound and positive impact on Sarah’s peace of mind and her overall well-being. The key outcomes included:

Clarity and Confidence: Sarah now has a clear, Plan Well Guide document, increasing the likelihood that her wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care will be respected, regardless of her ability to communicate them at the time.
Reduced Anxiety: Sarah reported feeling a significant reduction in anxiety and uncertainty about her future. Knowing that her preferences are clearly documented provided her with peace of mind, particularly during times when her health was a concern.
Improved Communication with Healthcare Providers: Her doctors and other medical professionals are now fully informed of her healthcare preferences, which improves the likelihood that her wishes will be respected in emergency situations or in the event of a serious illness. Sarah also feels empowered knowing that her healthcare providers are aware of her preferences and that she is not at the mercy of a system that may not understand her values.
Ongoing Support: Sarah’s healthcare directives are now set for regular review, ensuring that her wishes will continue to be in line with her evolving health and personal goals

Overall, Sarah’s experience highlights the importance of proactive healthcare planning and the critical role that clear communication and legal documentation play in ensuring a person’s wishes are upheld in the face of serious illness or incapacity. With our support, Sarah is now able to face the future with confidence, knowing that her healthcare decisions are in her hands.

Improve your quality of life by planning your care in the event of a critical illness: Contact us!

Note: this service is offered in collaboration with Plan Well Guide