In April I wrote to you about Organ Donation. You might remember I mentioned that you can designate on your Living Will/ Advance Care Directive that you wish to be an organ donor.

This month I strongly encourage you to complete your Living Will/Advance Care Directive if you haven’t already done so.   

As Christians we believe in eternal life. We also believe that we are called to be good stewards. In this vein I would ask you to entertain the thought that making out your Advance Care directive is being a good steward and it may be the last and best gift you can give your loved ones.

Some of us hesitate to fill out these directives because there’s a part of us that feels it’s “too final” and though we all know we’ll die one day that makes it a little too real. Let me remind you that buying life insurance doesn’t mean you expect to die any time soon and starting a 401K or an IRA certainly doesn’t mean you’ll be retiring in the very near future. However in both of these situations you are planning for the future and often including your families in those plans.

That is the same goal which is accomplished when you complete your Advance Care Directive and make sure your health care professionals, your local hospital and your Care Agents have copies of the document. It is important to discuss your wishes with your family and to choose an agent and successor agent who will be comfortable carrying out your wishes. Your agent does NOT have to be a family member.

When we are ill and dying it is a stressful time for our loved ones. You can eliminate some of that stress and allow them to make it a time when they can focus on their relationship with you and each other in a positive and life-giving way. Having your advance care document completed will do that.

I have Advance Care Directive documents available in my office and with the educational materials at church. You can also obtain them from your Doctor or clinic or hospital.

They are relatively easy to fill out but if you would like help filling them out or have any questions about the forms please feel free to contact me. Remember EVERYONE in your family who is 18 or older should have one filled out and on file.

Blessings, love and prayers,

Maureen Redmer, RN

Aurora Parish Nurse Program