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Dying with Dignity

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My grandmother passed away surrounded by loved ones in the sterility of a hospital room. Recently diagnosed with stomach cancer, she was shuttled back and forth to the hospital until the end. Her illness and subsequent passing happened so swiftly that we were shell-shocked. What would she have wanted? From the start of her illness, Grandma was not pleased with her doctors or the care she was receiving. She did not want to go to the hospital, preferring instead to remain in the comfort of her own home. To confound an already difficult situation, my dad had no idea where Grandma’s will was. Turns out, she didn’t have one.

This leads me to Five Wishes, a living will and Gilbert Guide-recommended Gems—little-known resources that make a BIG difference. Five Wishes is a living will where individuals can express the way in which they’d like to be treated in the event of a serious illness or catastrophic event that leaves them unable to communicate. The document is unique in that it addresses all of a person’s needs: personal, emotional, spiritual and, of course, medical. If you are unable to speak for yourself, you will have already chosen the person you would want to make your health care decisions.

The benefits of completing Five Wishes are many. Your family will know your exact wishes, preventing them from having to make hard choices in the event of your death. You will be able to express precisely how you wish to be treated. The document is comprehensive and simple, and leaves you with the peace of mind that your doctors and loved ones will know exactly what to do for you. I love Five Wishes because the language used in the document is non-technical and extremely easy to understand. Five Wishes was created with the help of the American Bar Association’s Commission on the Legal Problems of the Elderly, and leading experts in end-of-life care. I urge you to take a look at this invaluable document, and tell us what you think!

Wishing you only the best—

Ami Icanberry

Posted in: Advanced Directives, Dying with Dignity, Essential Documents, Legal Issues, Living Wills

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2 Responses to “Dying with Dignity”

1. Lisa Farley Says:
   

   I checked out Five Wishes and am really impressed. Though it is simple language used in the document, it asks what everyone needs to know in the event of a loved one’s death. It’s hard to think about filling out a will of any kind, but the peace of mind i feel now is well worth taking the time to do it.

2. What You Need to Know About Living Wills—Part One | Gilbert Guide Blog Says:
   

   […] A living will has nothing to do with a conventional will or trust designed to dole out possessions and property after you die. It’s a legal document outlining the kind of medical treatments you would want if you were seriously or terminally ill, and unable to make the decision yourself due to incapacitation (e.g., a coma). A living will does not allow you to choose someone to make these decisions for you, and you must be mentally competent to draw one up. In reading FindLaw.com, I realized another great (and practical!) argument for having a living will. A living will helps to protect the assets you outline in a conventional will. That said, someone who is very near death may not want his or her hard-earned life savings—oftentimes intended as security for surviving loved ones and friends—to go solely to his or her medical expenses. It’s hard to hear, but it’s definitely a consideration. Gilbert Guide recommends the easy-to-comprehend Five Wishes—this living will is unique in that it addresses all of a person’s needs: personal, emotional, spiritual and, of course, medical. […]

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