Give us 20 minutes. We’ll Build an Advance Care Plan for Your Parents

When a crisis strikes, the question no one wants to ask, “What do we do?”, can leave families scrambling. In this episode of Who Cares, hosts Elyssa Katz and Dr. Steven Landers unpack the essential but often overlooked practice of advance care planning, the process of outlining your wishes for medical care before you ever face a life-threatening situation. Joined later by Dr. Susan Nelson, Chair of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at Ochsner Health and President of the National POLST Collaborative, they demystify how to turn something daunting into an empowering act of self-advocacy.

Advance care planning isn’t about predicting the future; it’s about protecting your future self. Listeners will learn what documents are included (like living wills, health care proxies, DNRs, and POLST or MOLST forms), how these tools differ, and why it’s critical to designate someone you trust to speak on your behalf. The hosts also explain how Medicare covers advance care planning conversations, how to store your documents safely on paper or digitally, and how to keep them updated as your life changes.

Dr. Nelson offers an inside look at how these plans are interpreted in hospitals and why confusion persists among both patients and providers. She shares practical tips for initiating tough conversations, whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or clinician, and highlights national resources such as CaringInfo.org, which provides free, state-specific advance directive forms in English and Spanish. Through personal anecdotes and expert guidance, she reframes these conversations not as morbid tasks but as meaningful gifts that bring clarity, autonomy, and love.

Key themes include the emotional and relational relief that comes from documenting your wishes, how to normalize discussions around “what matters most,” and how simple actions, like talking during a family gathering or reviewing your documents on your birthday, can safeguard peace of mind for years to come.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional guiding patients, a caregiver seeking reassurance, or someone planning ahead for yourself, this episode shows how advance care planning transforms uncertainty into confidence. It’s not just paperwork; it’s a legacy of compassion and control for those you love.

Visit https://www.caringinfo.org/ for more information. 

00:00 Introduction: The importance of planning today for a future crisis
01:54 What is Advance Care Planning (ACP) and why is it a process?
02:37 Advanced Care Planning as a covered Medicare benefit
05:39 When the Healthcare Power of Attorney designation is enacted
07:23 Distinction between Healthcare and Financial Power of Attorney
08:55 POLST/MOLST vs. Advance Directives
10:53 Resource for Advance Directives by State: CaringInfo.org
11:29 Importance of communication: Talking to providers and family after filling out the documents
12:59 When to update your Advance Directives
15:43 The impact of ACP on loved ones
21:00 Introduction of Dr. Susan Nelson and her work
23:25 Detailed breakdown of Advance Directives vs. POLST/MOLST
27:40 Misconceptions among patients and other healthcare providers
29:40 Advising people to review their documents
35:05 Empowering patients to start the conversation
39:56 Shifting goals of care for older adults
48:19 Final advice for providers: Normalize the conversation about what matters most