Senior Wellness: The Importance of a Living Will

First published by WZZM13 on March 26, 2019
Written by Mackenzie Thaden
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A living will can help prepare you and your loved ones for any eventuality. Our own Katie VanRyn sat down with WZZM13 to talk about how you can go about making one.

We all make plans for the future somehow, whether it’s what we want to eat for lunch, or how many days we want to spend on vacation this summer. Something we tend to ignore when it comes to planning is our health. An advance directive, also known as a living will, identifies what you want for your future, and is a way to communicate that with others if something happens.

A living will communicates your healthcare choices so that if you’re unable to speak for yourself, others will know your decisions. It allows you to designate a person to act on your behalf in these situations and it allows your family and loved ones to make difficult decisions with your own guidance.

Many people hire a lawyer to make an advance directive or living will. Making Choices Michigan offers a free service to create one. All adults should have one, but it’s common for people in their 30s and 40s to create them. Not having one means that in most cases where you are incapable of communicating your wishes, the state will decide what happens to you, not your family or yourself. Healthcare providers will keep you alive as long as possible and a legal process will be required if someone wants you to be taken off of life support. The court could also decide who your guardian will be and can make decisions for you.

You can keep that from happening by getting ahead of the game and making a living will of your own. It’s easiest if you do it when you are healthy, rather than when you are ill or facing a major health situation. You’ll want to include things like how you want to feel in your last days, how your religious beliefs should shape the decision-making process, and what should happen if there’s a situation with a low medical probability of getting back to regular life.

Once you’ve created a living will, you can update what’s in it if you’d like. If you are of sound mind to change it, you can make any amendments or changes you want at any time. In fact, most people update their living will several times throughout their lives, maybe after they get married, or have children. You can also name more than one person as a decision maker in your living will.

So now that you’ve made one, what’s next? The first thing to do is let people know you’ve created one. The hospital can scan a copy of your advance directive into their system so that if anything happens, it’s easily accessible. There’s also a registry online where you can upload it.

If you’d like more information about creating an advance directive, you’re welcome to give us a call at 616.719.0919. 

Hospice patient gets one more date with his high school sweetheart of 64 years

First published by WZZM13 on March 10, 2019
Written by Kylie Ambu
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The Doublesteins

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The doors shut, and lights went down as audience members settled into their seats at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre on Sunday afternoon. “Mamma Mia!” actors took the stage, to immerse the crowd in the romantic, musical drama, but the real show was happening in the audience.

Bernie Doublestein and his wife Mary Ann had a long journey to the theater, over 64 years in fact. The couple met in high school through a mutual friend, and the two say sparks flew at the prom.

“She’s just a cutie, that’s all,” Bernie said.

The couple eventually got married and had three children: Terry, Dale and Laurie.

“He’s always been there for me,” Mary Ann said.

Bernie, now 84, is a patient at Emmanuel Hospice. While in spirit he is vibrant and eager to try new things, breathing difficulties keep him from doing everything he wishes alongside Mary Ann who also has dementia. Brookcrest Rehab & Life Center helped the couple enjoy one more date together just in time for their 64th wedding anniversary. With the help from Brookcrest’s Silver Bucket List and recreational therapist Christie Vander Meer, the Doublesteins were able to safely enjoy a night out on the town, including dinner and a show.

“The Silver Bucket List is kind of a bucket list that allows them to fulfill another list, and Bernie wanted one last date with Mary Ann,” Vander Meer said.

While Bernie said he was most excited for the play, Vander Meer said Mary Ann was giddy about a different part of the date.

“Mary really wanted to go to Logan’s where she can throw the peanuts on the floor.”

In addition to seeing the play, Bernie and Mary Ann had a meet-and-greet with the actors before the show. Logan’s Roadhouse also sponsored their dinner and corsages were donated by Maggie’s Flowers. Their children also arranged for the two to get haircuts and picked out date night outfits. However, Bernie wasn’t impressed by his children’s style skills.

“The things they gave me I didn’t like. I pushed them out, and I got my own,” said Bernie laughing.

Nevertheless, he said they enjoyed the night.

“I’m really pleased with it, and I think Mary Ann feels the same way.”

Vander Meer said Brookcrest will continue to support patients through the Silver Bucket List.

“When it’s done we try and see which resident might benefit from it again.”

To learn more about Emmanuel Hospice and the care we can provide you and your loved ones, call 616.719.0919.