NILES — Talking about a person’s final wishes before and after death is not precisely the kind of casual conversation someone expects to have over dinner.

While it can be challenging to think about, let alone talk about, the Niles District Library is hoping to break the ice this month and facilitate people in completing an advance directive. This legally binding document provides an outline of an individual’s wishes for care if they cannot make decisions for themselves.

Caryn Adler, a certified advance care plan facilitator and Adult Services team member at the Niles District Library, is helping to spur the initiative in honor of National Healthcare Decisions Month this April. The effort is a partnership with Southwest Michigan’s Advance Care Program’s Speak for Yourself, Plan Your Care. Care plan consultations are free and open to the public.

Adler said the goal is to get more people talking about what they want before and after death so that they can bring peace of mind to themselves and their loved ones.

“When a parent especially tries to talk about this [a child might] say, ‘It’s ok. You’re not going to die. Don’t talk about that — it makes me too sad,’” Adler said. “To have a go-between in the conversation is helpful for families … to steer the direction and answer questions on the spot.”

To take part, people can call the library to set up an appointment with Adler to complete a care plan. Adler can provide details about the plan or walk them through the advance directive.

By completing the care plan, people designate a patient advocate to speak on their behalf. The directive also allows people to specify what treatment they want in the event of incapacitation. They can also detail how they want their remains handled, in addition to a variety of other care concerns. Once completed, Adler advises that people share the plan with their hospital and doctor and keep a copy where emergency services personnel could find it, such as a glove compartment or medicine cabinet. 

For those who share their wishes for an advance care plan, there can be numerous benefits not just for them, but for their family.

The plan can help a family member faced with a tough decision, like whether to keep someone on life support, the comfort of knowing they are following through with that person’s wishes, instead of having to decide for themselves what that person would want.

“It’s a huge gift,” Adler said. “I’ve worked in emergency rooms, and I’ve seen families come in and get that call that a loved is an accident …  and they don’t know what to do. What a gift to tell them in advance what they want.”

Adler encouraged people of all ages to complete a plan. Additionally, she urged people who finished a plan more than 10 years ago to revisit it and update any information necessary.

The initiative to get people talking and create a plan has had an impact. From 2016 through 2018, there have been 1,868 conversations in southwest Michigan that have sought to encourage people to develop a plan, according to data gathered by the ACP in southwest Michigan.

There are also upcoming opportunities to be an advanced directive conversation starting. Caring Circle, a Lakeland Hospital hospice program, will host community training to certify facilitators on May 2 and 3, and Oct. 3 and 4. For more information, people can contact Julie Griffin at (269) 429-7100.

This month, Adler encouraged people to take the time to complete a care plan.

“It’s a tremendous gift to family members,” Adler said. “People put it off, and they think they are going to do it and it just gets pushed to the back burner, so we want to bring it to the [forefront].”