Advanced Health Care Planning We don’t like to think that we will die, but the reality is that we will, and just as we plan for other important events in our lives it makes sense to have a plan for this time of your life as well. It’s more than just completing the right legal paperwork. The author Irvin Yalom describes thinking about death as akin to ‘staring at the sun’, something we naturally find uncomfortable and can’t look directly at. It involves: • Exploring your values and thinking about what you do and don’t want • Having conversations with the important people in your life • Getting the medical care you want • Avoiding unnecessary suffering and relieve caregivers of decision making burdens during moments of crisis or grief • Reducing confusion, disagreement and stress about the choices you would want your loved ones to make on your behalf • Learning how to live well so you can die well When asked, most people have clear preferences for the care they want at the end of their life. But rarely do we have open, systematic conversations that lead to the effective End of Life Care plans.