Social Workers and End of Life Organization
By Tanya Roberts, MSW, CSAPC, PES
NASW-NC Member
Most people need help with organization in small and large ways. This can mean the organization of stuff in cabinets, closets, and garages or the organization of important paperwork. Having advance directives completed and properly secured and stored is part of the process. This helps to ensure others can care for you, as you would like should you not be able to make decisions.
April 16th marks the 7th Annual National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). This movement is one of several which is taking on the issue of advance directive completion through community education. All adults, regardless of age, need to have advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will), but few people do.
Social workers are in an ideal place to help people better prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for the end of life. Let’s not overlook the need for all clients (ourselves included) to have the conversation about our end of life issues, gather the necessary paperwork, and complete the advance directive documents. The gift to our loved ones is truly invaluable.
People do not like to think about end of life, but the reality is that we all will be there one day. I encourage you to complete your documents and share the information with your family, friends, and clients.
For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org and Structured Chaos at http://www.structuredchaos.biz/coming-in-april-the-haines-system/.
National Healthcare Decisions Day press release
NASW-NC Social Work Blog 