CHAC coordinated a collaborative partnership to promote Advance Care Planning (ACP) among all adults 18 and older in La Plata County over two years. “My Life: Deciding in Advance” achieved much success throughout October 2016 – October 2018.
Advance Care Planning (ACP) can be defined as the development and expression of wishes for of health care, including continuation or discontinuation of certain types of treatment and care. ACP allows a person to clarify their values and goals should they become unable to make a decision or speak for themselves in the future. The process can start at any time in an adult’s life and should be revisited periodically. Advance care plans become more focused as health status changes, such as with the diagnosis of a disease or through the aging process. Ideally, advance care planning begins with conversations with a person’s health care agent (usually a friend or family member) and loved ones and discussions with a primary clinician and leads to written documentation (Advance Directives) of the decisions made during the course of those discussions. It also is important to ensure documents are available in the healthcare system.
“My Life” includes community education, professional training and linking the community and healthcare system. This collaborative, community-based initiative was coordinated by CHAC and guided by an Advisory Committee of multiple organizations including Mercy Regional Medical Center, Axis Health System, La Plata County Senior Services, Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO), Four Corners Health Care Center, Axis Health System, a private attorney, DeNovo Health Advocacy and several dedicated individual experts. Many other partners also were involved as Resource Team members.
The initiative was wildly successful including these accomplishments: 1) facilitated 5,160 ADs being accessible in the MRMC/Centura electronic medical record system, 2) educated over 1,600 community members through four open education events and 65 presentations at groups, 3) trained 287 professionals at 20 trainings, 4) provided trained Personal Resource Specialists who met with more than 20 residents individually in homes to offer personalized assistance with any aspect of ACP, 5) improved ACP communication protocols during transitions of care between MRMC and 12 skilled nursing facilities, first responder organizations, long-term care/rehabilitation entities and senior residences, and 6) increased focus on ADs within the electronic medical record system within both MRMC and CORHIO. Written survey results after educational presentations demonstrated that 90% of participants felt confident in their ability to discuss their wishes with loved ones, 89% intended to complete an AD and would do so within six months if they hadn’t already done so, and 75% would deliver documents to the healthcare system within six months.
To get assistance from a free, trained Personal Resource Specialist, contact Lynn Westberg at (970) 799 – 0219 or lynnwestberg@gmail.com.
DOCUMENTS
Medical Durable Power of Attorney (designates who you want to make medical decisions for you if you are unable)
Living Will (states the care you want and don’t want)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (states that you do not want to “be brought back” if your heart or breathing stop)
Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) (medical orders that a healthcare provider needs in order to carry out your wishes)
The Conversation Project Discussion Guide
Definitions and Resources
Exploring Your Values and Preferences about Death and Dying (worksheet)
What If I Had Dementia? Planning for the future
Advance Directives for Dementia: Meeting a Unique Challenge
RESOURCES
Colorado Advance Directives Consortium
The Conversation Project in Boulder
Phone: (720) 318-4457
Hospice and Palliative Care Association of the Rockies
Phone: (303) 848-2522
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Phone: (703) 837-1500
National Institute on Aging
Phone: (800) 222-2225
IN THE NEWS
“My Life: Deciding in Advance” presentation video Feb. 2018
Durango Herald Article April 2017
Durango Herald Article May 2016
To watch ACP initiative co-leader Dr. Bob Cox on Durango TV, click here.
Start the conversation about Advanced Care Planning with your loved ones. ACP initiative co-leader Dr. Bob Cox discusses the important issues on Durango TV.
Our Funders:
Mercy Regional Medical Center
