Opinion: It’s never too early to plan for end-of-life care with an advanced directive

Every April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as a critical reminder: While we can’t always control the turbulence of life, we can prepare for a smooth landing.

Whenever I fly, I’m reminded that air travel is a fitting metaphor for the human journey through health care. Before a plane takes off, there’s extensive preparation — a flight plan is filed, safety checks are completed, and every part of the journey is considered.

Similarly, we’ve made great strides in our own “preflight” preparations, especially in prenatal care and childbirth. The first stage of life has become more intentional, safer and better supported.

Then comes the flight itself. Pilots constantly adjust for wind, weather and shifting conditions. They monitor their course and tweak their route as needed. Our health care journey is much the same. Physicians, specialists, nurses, and other professionals work tirelessly to fine-tune our care — offering medications, surgeries, therapies and lifestyle recommendations — all aimed at keeping us healthy and airborne.

But here’s the truth: every flight must eventually land. That descent — our later years, final illnesses or critical injuries — is just as important as takeoff. And yet, we often avoid preparing for that final stage.

We push off conversations about the end of life, thinking it’s too early, too difficult or too uncomfortable. But avoiding the subject doesn’t stop it from arriving.

According to a 2024 AARP survey, while most Americans age 45 and older say they’re comfortable talking about death with loved ones, only about one in three have completed an advance directive.

That’s a troubling gap — one that National Healthcare Decisions Day seeks to close.

An advance health care directive is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical care if you become unable to speak for yourself. One of its most important components is naming a trusted substitute decision-maker — someone who can act as your co-pilot and speak on your behalf.

This person doesn’t need to be a medical expert, but they should understand your values and be willing to advocate for your wishes, even in emotionally charged moments.

Advance care planning isn’t just about legal paperwork. It’s about thoughtful conversations. When you make your values and priorities known, you help loved ones and providers understand what matters most to you — whether that’s fighting for every moment or prioritizing comfort, spirituality or dignity.

For families, this clarity can be a profound gift. In difficult moments, uncertainty can lead to conflict or guilt. But when your wishes are clearly communicated in advance, your family can feel confident knowing they are honoring your choices — not guessing at them.

Advance directives also help ensure that your care reflects your personal definition of quality of life. Is being alert and able to recognize loved ones essential to you? Would you want all available interventions used, no matter the odds? Or are there circumstances where you’d prefer nature to take its course?

There are no right or wrong answers. The key is that they are your answers.

One of the biggest misconceptions about advance care planning is that it’s only for the elderly or seriously ill. In reality, it’s for all adults — because accidents and unexpected illnesses can happen at any time. Starting young lets you revisit and update your choices as your life, relationships and health evolve.

At Sharp HealthCare, we believe that planning for the end of life is a natural, compassionate extension of the care we offer every day. Through our Advance Care Planning program and Spiritual Care team, we help individuals explore their beliefs, hopes and fears around illness and dying. Our goal is to ensure that each journey is marked by respect, intention, and — when the time comes — a gentle landing.

So this National Healthcare Decisions Day, ask yourself: Have I created a plan for the end of my flight? Have I shared it with the people I trust? Let this be the year you take that step.

Here’s to safe takeoffs, meaningful journeys and soft landings.

John Tastad is a chaplain and advance care planning coordinator at Sharp HealthCare