Family conversations about advance health care directives

We all understand the importance of planning. We plan for graduations and weddings, we plan for retirement and we love to plan for vacations; but most Americans do not consider the importance of planning when it comes to medical decision making. Talking about your healthcare wishes with your family is a gift. If you become critically ill and cannot communicate, your loved ones and medical team must make important decisions about your care. These decisions will have serious impacts on your end-of-life experience.

Creating an advance directive and learning how to discuss end-of-life care with yo...