Advance Care Planning

One of the Most Important Conversations You’ll Ever Have

Most of us spend time planning for retirement, education, careers, and major life events. Yet many of us never talk about the healthcare decisions that could affect us and the people we love most.

Advance care planning helps ensure your wishes are known before a medical crisis occurs. It gives your loved ones guidance when difficult decisions must be made and provides peace of mind that your values and preferences will be respected.

At Georgia Care Innovators and Hospice Savannah, we believe these conversations are among the most meaningful gifts you can give your family.

What Is an Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive is a legal document that allows you to:

Identify a healthcare decision-maker if you are unable to speak for yourself
Communicate your healthcare preferences
Clarify your wishes regarding medical treatment
Reduce uncertainty for family members during difficult situations

Every adult should consider completing an Advance Directive, regardless of age or current health status.

Download the Advance Directive Form

Starting the Conversation

Many families avoid discussing serious illness or end-of-life wishes because the conversation feels uncomfortable. The reality is that having these discussions before a crisis occurs can reduce stress, confusion, and conflict later. You don’t need to have all the answers. You simply need to start the conversation.

Here are a few questions that can help:

What matters most to you?

What would you like to accomplish in your lifetime?
What gives your life meaning and purpose?
What experiences are most important to you?

How do you define quality of life?

What abilities are essential to your independence?
How do you feel about treatments such as ventilators, feeding tubes, dialysis, or intensive care?
Under what circumstances would you want these treatments—or not want them?

What would bring you peace?

What would a peaceful and meaningful final chapter of life look like to you?
What role would you want family and loved ones to play?
What support would be most important for you and your family?

Who would speak for you?

Who knows you well enough to honor your wishes?
Who could make healthcare decisions on your behalf if necessary?

Hear from Dr. Kathleen Benton

In this video, Dr. Kathleen Benton discusses the importance of advance care planning and explains why these conversations can provide clarity, comfort, and peace of mind for families.

Understanding POLST Forms

A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form is different from an Advance Directive.

POLST forms are generally intended for individuals living with serious illness or significant frailty whose current health status requires medical orders that guide emergency and future healthcare decisions.

For many healthy adults, an Advance Directive is the most appropriate place to begin.

Download Georgia POLST Form

Additional Planning Resources

Five Wishes®

Five Wishes is one of the nation’s most widely used advance care planning tools. It helps individuals communicate not only medical preferences, but also personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes.

Obtain the Five Wishes form

Closure: Changing Expectations for End of Life

This resource offers practical guidance and helpful tools for families beginning conversations about serious illness, caregiving, and end-of-life planning.

Planning Is a Gift

Advance care planning is not about expecting the worst.

It is about preparing for the unexpected.

When your wishes are clearly communicated, your loved ones can spend less time wondering what you would want and more time focusing on what matters most—supporting one another.

Starting the conversation today may be one of the greatest gifts you ever give your family.