CHOOSING CARE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
One of the enduring misconceptions that Honoring Choices set out to change is the commonly held belief that “health care planning” is synonymous with “end of life care.” It’s certainly true that “health care planning” includes both an everyday care planning with your doctors for the kind of care you want at every stage of health, and advance care planning for future and end of life medical choices. But where health care planning is begun during times of wellness or during times of chronic and debilitating illness, it can be central to improving care as well as providing an opportunity for adults to flourish in enhanced living situations.
Masonic Health System (MHS), our newest Community Partner, sees partnering with Honoring Choices in exactly that way, as “a great opportunity to extend our level of health care planning services as a self-empowerment tool to help each adult live their fullest life” states Patrick McShane, Vice-President of Corporate Communications. As he says, to that end MHS’, Center of Living Well, provides education by a Certified Health Care Planning Facilitator, trained by Honoring Choices, who offers “monthly group discussions and one-to-one discussion sessions to help each individual explore their options and direct their own lives.” MHS’ client base is substantial. Mr. McShane takes care to point out that “we assist more than 2800 people every day of the week, touching the lives of adults living on our campuses, interacting with our care services, and referring adults to finding the assistance that is right for them throughout the Commonwealth.”
Jane is a perfect example of how well this can work. Jane, a happy, active 72 year old loved to socialize with friends, but multiple chronic illnesses caused her to become isolated, and her live-in caretaker could no longer provide the support she required. A resident now in an enhanced living situation within a community of seniors, Jane remembers that time and says “I just had no hope.”
Fortunately, a friend referred Jane to Kate Granigan, Vice President of Geriatric Care Management for Overlook Care at Masonic Health System, who quickly set out “to help Jane take a good look at her health issues, both now and in the future, and identify the choices she had for improving her care.” Finding a living situation “that was right for her, where her health could be monitored regularly without losing her independence” was the goal. Jane chose an enhanced living option that she thought might be a good fit.
Jane’s health improved considerably as she flourished in her new environment. With a bright smile, Jane says: “I was welcomed with open arms.” Feeling well cared for and socializing with new friends, she says: “I didn’t even know these choices were possible.”
This is health care planning at its best. As Mr. McShane points out, “The Honoring Choices partnership enhances our mission of empowering individuals to become informed decision makers taking control of their lives at every stage of living.”
Changing reflexive thinking comes slowly, but Honoring Choices is committed to broadening the recognition of health care planning as an important tool in creating a personal road map for quality care all though your life. Now welcoming Masonic Health System to our growing platform of Community Partners, that expanding recognition is becoming a reality across the Commonwealth.
Read more about Masonic Health Systems’ health care planning programs at Meet Our Community Partners.