Download the Illinois Advance Directive Here

Many people find themselves confronting the inevitable at some point in time: One day all of us will die.  Most of us are not comfortable talking about death, let alone planning for it.  Through situations like the one endured by Terri Schiavo’s family three years ago, we were all taught the importance of making our wishes known to our loved ones, health care providers, clergy and all those we care about and who care about us. 

There is something people can do to make sure your family avoids the tragic conflict the Schiavo family endured: Plan for what you would want at the end of your life.Planning is important whether you want every medical intervention available up until the moment you die or if you want to spend your final days at home, surrounded by family, focusing on comfort care and quality of life.  What matters is that you make your wishes known by completing an advance directive and talking about it with your loved ones. You have choices and an advance directive is an important step in making sure your wishes are honored.

An advance directive is also a gift to those you love.   Should your spouse, sibling, parent or child ever find themselves in the position to make medical choices for you because you can’t speak for yourself, you’ve let them know what’s most important to you.You can download a copy of the Illinois Advance Directive here.  But you must do more than request the form… do more than complete the form… do more than give the form to your physician, family and friends: Use the form to help you talk to people about these issues and your wishes for the end of your life. 

The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization encourages all Americans to wear a white ribbon starting in March, as a reminder to all people that every one of us should take time to think about our wishes, and plan for them.  Should people ask about the meaning of the white ribbon, tell them to plan for the end of life, because we are only human Planning for the inevitable is about how you, your family, friends, neighbors and all of us LIVE.  Don’t let death just happen to you – live every day with the dignity, grace and confidence that comes with making your wishes known.