The Community Health Action Coalition is our coordinating body for communication, collaboration, education and other health related activities in La Plata County. CHAC has launched an advance care planning initiative within the past month titled “My Life: Deciding in Advance.” The goal is to educate all adults in the county about the value of planning, the process of making known your wishes for future health care in the event that you become unable to speak for yourself. The two-year initiative is not limited to the consumers of health care but also involves the professionals who should be prepared to discuss advance care planning including health care providers, attorneys, life insurance agents and others.

Planning is a process beginning with consideration of your wishes for what you want to be done, and what you want not to be done, should you become unable to speak for yourself. This is followed by a conversation with your family and loved ones to make your wishes known. An Advanced Directive is the documentation of your wishes, and there are many forms from which to choose. Colorado’s state-approved forms can be downloaded for free from the CHAC website, www.chaclaplata.org. Besides the living will, one of the most important forms is the establishment of an “Authorized Surrogate Decision Maker,” whom you designate in writing to speak for you if you cannot. This is also known as a Medical Durable Power of Attorney.

I urge all adults to go to the CHAC website. View the video. Download the forms. Begin the conversation with your family and friends. Don’t leave end-of-life decisions to others. Take charge so that your own wishes guide your care.

Bob Cox, CHAC board member

Durango