25 May Ask Alice June 2021

Dear Alice,
I am in a quandary about completing my Advance Directive. I received a copy of the Vermont Advance Directive form in November 2019 from Taking Steps Brattleboro’s tabling in the Richards Lobby at BMH. I have looked at the form several times since then, each time committed to completing it, but have been stopped each time by a variety of reasons including no time, the pandemic, my own questions about my wishes and how to have a conversation with my family and the person I’m thinking who will be my agent. Can you help me to figure out a plan of action to successfully complete my Advance Directive?
Sincerely,
Feeling Troubled

Dear Feeling Troubled,
Thank you for writing and for expressing the range of issues that face many people when they approach the task of completing an Advance Directive (AD) for healthcare. First, as much as is possible applaud yourself for being willing to take the time to think about the significant thought-provoking aspects that completing an Advance Directive entails. Approaching the questions contained on the AD form does require one to think about personal values of quality of life, contemplating questions about life and death, who I trust to make decisions for me if I am unable, and being willing to have meaningful conversation with those you love about topics that for some can be difficult to have. Thankfully, there are some great resources available online including the Conversation Project (www.theeconversationproject.org) and the Vermont Ethics Network (VEN) (www.vtethicsnetwork.org) to find information about Advance Care Planning and these concerns. Additionally, Taking Steps Brattleboro (TSB) offers no-charge individual telephone and in-person consultations as well as weekly Zoom Advance Care Planning Information meetings to assist people with exploring these issues.

From my experience completing my AD, I suggest checking these resources and choosing the right form for you based on your current comfort level. For some completing the VT Agent form (2 pages) is a great first start. The main feature of this form is to identify the person you would want to speak for you in the event you aren’t able to speak for yourself in a medical event and making general statements about your choices for medical treatment. If you are able, consider completing the VT Short Form (6 pages), which asks you to identify your Agent, answer questions about choices for medical treatment and other related questions. Finally, there is the 24-page VT Long Form for those who want to provide answers to many detailed questions (these forms can be seen at the VEN website). I suggest completing the VT Short Form, recognizing these other forms are also available. The trained volunteers at Taking Steps Brattleboro can offer guidance to you as well as discuss other forms to consider: the Catholic, Veteran, and Buddhist AD forms and perhaps also completing the COVID and Dementia Addendums.

Consider choosing one of these VT forms and answering the questions you can easily answer, seeking assistance for the more difficult questions and asking your medical provider, spiritual advisor and/or seeking more information about the questions that challenge you. Remember that your AD is a document that can be added to and changed as you gain information any time in the future.

Most important, you’ll know that you have something in place and have started conversations with your Agent, loved ones and your medical provider should an unplanned medical event that leaves you unable to speak for yourself occur. Take those first steps if you can!

Please let me know your progress.
Best wishes,
Alice

As always, please contact Don Freeman, Taking Steps Brattleboro Coordinator, 802-257-0775, ext. 101, or don.freeman@brattleborohospice.org, for information about Advance Care Planning.

Till next month, folks. Please send your questions to Alice via info@brattleborohospice.org.