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How Do You Want to be Cared For in Your Life?
The last new moon newsletter was encouraging you to carry out a death clean to get a better sense of all that is connected to you. (https://www.livinglegacy.ie/blog/feb24newmoon-take%20stock)
Now it is opportune to consider, if you aren't able to care for yourself, how do you want to be cared for.
There is a lot of fear about death and dying. Yet considering how we live today, how can we use this to reflect and inform how we want to live when we may not be able to care for ourself?
A couple of areas to explore are:
1. Comforts - What brings you comfort when you aren't feeling your best self? Think of those times when you maybe feeling unwell, or just down in the dumps - what are you go to creature comforts? A bubble bath? A walk in nature? A cup of hot chocolate? Streaming your favourite show over a weekend? Wrapping up in a favourite blanket or duvet? Comfy warm clothing? Treats?
2. Joys - When you are feeling good, what brings you joy and help you feel amazing? A fancy perfume? Treating yourself to a spa treatment? A specific item of clothing? Certain jewellery? A favourite food to devour?
3. Surrounding Environment - How do you like to be at home? - what noises surround you? - a particular radio show? A specific playlist or musician? Specific television programmes? The sound of nature outside? The heat cranked up or a cool temperature?
4. Self-Care - As you currently care for yourself, what are your rituals and essentials? A preferred shampoo or body wash? Certain toiletries? Particular brands for make-up and clothing? Invigorating exercise routines? Journaling / meditation? A healthy eating routine?
5. Tribe - For good times, bad times, and every time in between - who are your 'go to' people? Who do you reach out to in certain situations and who enriches your life?
6. What You Don't Want - After you have reflected on the above, then consider what you don't want if you are in the worst situation of not being able to fend for yourself, how do you want to be cared for using the above to guide them.
For medical treatment, what type of care do you want taken? What do you not want carried out?
a. Do you want all attempts to resuscitate you if you are unconscious?
b. Are you comfortable with the concept of being artificially fed through a tube?
c. Do you want CPR if your quality of life would be compromised?
The above are all the beginning for considerations for your care plan.
A Living Will is your guidance for your preferred medical care and advanced health directive.
Start with the above to help you consider the more specific requirements, which we will focus on in future moon letters.
For now we direct you to the Advanced Healthcare Directive Guide and Form, to start the process and discuss with your loved ones and your GP so they can support you to get this in place and ensure to have on file should your health ever be compromised and decisions are to be taken.
Refusal of treatment is legally binding, so it is important to make these decisions while you are healthy, well, and able to do so, to help inform medical providers and family of your wishes. Go to
https://decisionsupportservice.ie/sites/default/files/2023-12/Advance%20Healthcare%20Directive%20INTERACTIVE%20FINAL.pdf
Although this form is specific for the Republic of Ireland, it covers a lot for you to consider regardless of where you are in the world. We recommend that you reach out to your Department of Health and GP to get the correct form for your local residency. It you are long-term resident or regularly visiting a country different from your country of citizenship, it is important you have an Advanced Healthcare Directive completed for this country too as legal, cultural, and medical considerations may differ.
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