Planning For Medical Emergencies Can Ease Family Stress

I woke up once feeling somewhat sick, but thought I was just dealing with a virus or an infection and it would work itself out. It didn't, and eventually I decided to go for medical care. Turns out, I had sepsis. I really didn't think much of it at the time, but after I was released from the hospital, I found out it the disease is very serious, and I could have had a much worse out come. To say the least, it gave me serious pause.

Planning for a medical crisis is not something most people want to think about, but local healthcare professionals say it is one of the most important conversations a person can have.

During a recent interview on the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio, Tain Walker, a Transition Planner Social Worker, and Michelle Jones, a registered nurse in care management at Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital, emphasized the value of preparing in advance through living wills and advance directives.

“Well, actually, what we'd like to do is help them before it happens,” Walker said, explaining that preparation can ease the burden when unexpected health emergencies arise.

Decisions Made In Advance Can Relieve Family Stress

Advance directives allow individuals to outline their wishes for medical care if they become unable to communicate. These documents can include decisions about life-sustaining treatments, such as CPR, feeding tubes, or other interventions. Walker noted that people can also complete more specific medical orders, such as a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment, which details exactly how aggressive treatment should be in certain situations.

A key part of the process is choosing an “agent,” someone authorized to make decisions on a patient’s behalf. Jones explained that this role carries significant responsibility and should never come as a surprise.

“That’s the person who makes the decisions for you when you can't, when you're diminished capacity or you're unconscious or just whatever the case may be,” Jones said during the KSUB broadcast. “So it's very important that you visit with them when you set up your advance directive so that they know what your wishes are.”

Both Walker and Jones stressed that communication is just as important as documentation. Families often face stress and confusion during medical emergencies, and disagreements can arise if a patient’s wishes are unclear. Having those decisions clearly written—and discussed ahead of time—can prevent conflict and ensure care aligns with the patient’s preferences.

“Unfortunately, too much,” Walker said when asked how often families disagree about care decisions. “Half the reason we tell people you need one of these is, in an emergency situation… everybody's going to argue over what did mom want or not want.”

Creating an advance directive in Utah is a relatively simple process. Forms are available online, can be completed at home, and only require a witness who is not a family member. They do not need to be notarized. Importantly, these documents can be updated at any time as circumstances or preferences change.

While the topic may feel uncomfortable, Jones encouraged people to approach it openly.

“It’s not a taboo subject. It’s just part of life,” she said.

Once the forms are completed, both Jones and Walker emphasized making copies and providing those copies to your agent, along with the hospital so that medical staff there are aware of your wishes.

Read More: Straight Talk About Suicide Can Save Lives

With National Health Care Decision Day on April 16^th, local healthcare providers hope more residents will take time to plan ahead, ensuring their wishes are known and easing the burden on loved ones when it matters most.

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Listen to the entire discussion with Jones and Walker in the podcast below.