Initiating Goals of Care Conversations

No one likes contemplating their own mortality, let alone having tough discussions about it. Nevertheless, it is essential to engage in these conversations with both your family and healthcare team. This ensures that your desires for end-of-life care are followed. By openly sharing your goals of care, you can better prepare yourself and your loved ones for what lies ahead. What are end-of-life preferences and goals of care? End-of-life preferences involve choices about medical treatments you want or don't want if you can't decide for yourself. These might include life-sustaining actions like CPR, ventilators, and tube feeding, as well as comfort measures such as pain management and hospice. On the other hand, goals of care are personal and emotional goals that can guide medical choices near the end of life. For instance, these might include dying at home, being free of pain, or staying mentally alert. Why are these conversations important? Discussing your preferences a