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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning

Learn about advance care planning

Advance care planning means that you plan ahead for your future health care. Even if you're healthy, it's important to make a plan in case the time comes when you aren't able to make decisions for yourself. If you have a serious health problem that is getting worse, making decisions now about end-of-life care can make things easier for you and your family. Clearly stating your wishes can help ease your mind. Our topics provide information about advance care planning, so you and your family can make sure you get the care you want.

Find out more about planning for your health care in topics such as:

  • Caregiver Support: Talking About Advance Care Planning.
    • Writing an Advance Directive.
    • Choosing a Health Care Agent.
    • Palliative Care.
    • The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care.
    • Helping Older Adults With Grief.
Health Topics
  • Advance Care Planning for Your Child
  • Advance Directive: What to Include
  • Caregiver Support: Talking About Advance Care Planning
  • Choosing a Health Care Agent
  • Complications of Grief
  • Coping When Your Child Is Near the End of Life
  • Dementia: Legal Issues
  • Diabetes: Making Medical Decisions as Your Health Changes
  • Eldercare Mediation
  • End-Stage Renal Disease
  • Funeral Planning
  • Grief and Grieving
  • Grief Counseling
  • Grief: Dealing With Feelings of Insecurity
  • Grief: Helping Children Understand
  • Grief: Helping Teens With Grief
  • Grief: Losing a Loved One
  • Grief: When Major Loss Challenges Your Beliefs
  • Hospice Care
  • Living Will
  • Medicare Hospice Benefit
  • Pain Control at the End of Life
  • Palliative Care
  • Physician-Assisted Death
  • Prolonged Grief
  • Psychiatric Advance Directives
  • The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care
  • Turning Off Your ICD
  • Writing an Advance Directive
 Make a Wise Decision
  • Advance Care Planning: Should I Receive CPR and Life Support?
  • Advance Care Planning: Should I Stop Kidney Dialysis?
  • Kidney Failure: Should I Start Dialysis?
  • Kidney Failure: What Type of Dialysis Should I Have?
  • Kidney Failure: When Should I Start Dialysis?
 Take Action
  • Grief: Coping With Grief
  • Grief: Helping Children With Grief
  • Grief: Helping Older Adults With Grief

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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