Resources on Are You Prepared: Leaving a Legacy – Preventing Fights & Lawsuits
On Thursday, November 27, 2025, we hosted our Are You Prepared: Leaving a Legacy – Preventing Fights & Lawsuits at our WSAC Cafe and once again Dr. Rokosh, Facility Medical Director of Misericordia Hospital shared some fantastic information to us.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE: WHY IT MATTERS AND HOW TO BEGIN
Many of us hope to stay healthy and independent for as long as possible. Still, life can change quickly, especially as we age or live with chronic illness. Recently, Dr. Ella Rokosh, Facility Medical Director at Misericordia Hospital and a specialist in Critical Care and Internal Medicine, spoke with our community about what happens when health takes a sudden turn and how important it is to prepare for those moments before they arrive.
Her message was clear: planning ahead is an act of care for yourself and for the people who love you.
UNDERSTANDING THE TRAJECTORY OF ILLNESS
Dr. Rokosh explained that serious illness often brings crossroads. There may be choices to make about treatments, hospital care, or comfort-focused care. These decisions can be overwhelming, especially if they must be made quickly. When families have never talked about wishes or values, they are left guessing at a time when emotions are already high.
Thinking ahead does not mean expecting the worst. It simply means making sure your voice is heard, even if you are unable to speak for yourself.
ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH CALCIUM?
Calcium is essential for building and maintaining healthy bones at all ages. Find out whether you are getting enough of this important mineral in your daily diet by using this simple calculator.
GOALS OF CARE DESIGNATION
A Goals of Care Designation is a medical order that communicates the general focus of your care. It helps your health-care team understand what matters most to you and where you prefer to receive care. While not every advance care planning conversation leads to a formal designation, the conversations themselves are valuable. They help your family and care providers understand your wishes long before a crisis.
QUESTIONS WORTH CONSIDERING
If you became seriously ill, would your family or caregivers know how you want to be cared for? Who would speak for you if you were too sick to speak for yourself?
These questions can feel uncomfortable, but they are important. Death is a certainty, even if we do not know when or how it will come. Thinking about it does not hasten it. Instead, it gives you a chance to reflect on what quality of life means to you and what you would or would not want as your health changes.
Dr. Rokosh reminded us that certain medical events, such as critical illness requiring ICU care or cardiac arrest, often have long-lasting effects on physical and mental function. Understanding this helps people make informed choices about the treatments they would accept.
STEPS TO BEGIN
Dr. Rokosh encouraged everyone to take a few simple steps:
- Think about what matters most to you.
- Write it down so it is clear.
- Choose a spokesperson who is reliable and trustworthy.
- Tell them about your wishes.
- Share your thoughts with other family members so everyone understands.
These steps can prevent confusion and conflict later on. They also give your loved ones confidence that they are honouring your choices.
FREE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE
There are many free, web-based tools to help guide you through advance care planning. These resources offer worksheets, conversation starters, and information about how to document your wishes. They are designed to make the process easier and less intimidating.
Click on the links below to read or download:
A FINAL THOUGHT
Advance care planning is not about giving up. It is about taking control. It is about easing the burden on your family and ensuring that your care reflects your values. Starting the conversation now, while you are well, is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can offer to the people who care about you.