Give your family and yourself the best gift you can give; ensure that your end-of-life wishes are communicated to those who need to know.
By having a plan for your end-of-life care, you can rest more assured that your wishes will be carried out—and know that your loved ones will have an easier time later. Without a written plan, there is far less certainty. Life can take sudden turns, and everyone 18 or over should consider planning their advance directives.
The Library can help connect you with a specialist who will discuss your options, and when you’re ready, help you complete the necessary documents to file for your end-of-life care. These appointments are free of charge. Click the button below to set up an appointment.
Here are some resources to help you get started:
- Read this article by Library Director Claudine Perrault about the “What’s Your Plan, Estes Park?” program
- Advance Directive Kits are available for 3-week checkout, and include a helpful book, DVD, and sample forms
- Learn more at the Larimer Advance Care Planning website
- Read or listen to this 2014 NPR piece about La Crosse, Wisconsin, where medical ethicist Bud Hammes trained nurses at his hospital to talk to patients about advance care planning. At the time the article was written, 96% of people who died in La Crosse had an advance directive or similar documentation.
Additional resources:
- Video: “Have the Conversation.”
- Video: “Who would speak for you?”
- Larimer Advance Care Planning
- Estes Park Health: Hospice Care and Advance Directives
- CPR Directives Explained
- Colorado End of Life Options Act information
- Planned Giving (Estes Valley Legacy)
- Organ donation
- Leaving your body to education and research
- Donating your body to science
- Larimer County Office On Aging
- Aging & Adult Services: Larimer County Resources
“What’s Your Plan, Estes Park?” was originally made possible through a partnership with the Larimer Advance Care Planning team and REACH (Rural Estes Alliance for Community Health). REACH members included the Estes Park Medical Group, Timberline Clinic, Salud Family Health Center, and the Good Samaritan Village of Estes Park.