Papago Vista Neighborhood Association

Simple Five Wishes Document Reduces End-of-Life Guesswork

May 11, 2004

Five Wishes is a simple document that helps you and your loved ones plan in advance of a serious illness. Many people say they feel like Five Wishes is a gift they give to loved ones-the gift of peace of mind, and dignified care in case of an illness. After all, most of us would want those closest to us to know our wishes for health care, if a serious illness occurred. Yet only 15-20 percent of the U.S. population has completed and advanced directive to guide their families and doctors. The Five Wishes document gives you control over your medical care and the peace of mind that comes from expressing your own wishes.

The history of Five Wishes was created from a national non-profit organization Aging with Dignity based in Tallahassee, Florida in 1997 to help adults of all ages plan ahead for the kind of health care they want if a serious illness occurs. It was the inspiration of a man named Jim Towey, who was legal counsel to Mother Teresa of Calcutta for more than 12 years. To date, Aging with Dignity has distributed Five Wishes to more than three million Americans and 6,000 organizations. The 12-page document meets the legal requirements of 35 states but is usable in all 50. That means Five Wishes is a legally valid living will and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare in most states. Five Wishes was created with the help of the American Bar Association and top medical experts. It was designed to be easy to use and understand-this means it is written in every-day language-this means it is written in everyday language, not complex medical or legal jargon. The first two sections or ?“wishes?” include: space to name a ?“health care agent?” or person who makes decisions for someone who can no longer make them; and a ?“living will?” or record of the kind of medical treatment a person wants or does not want. The document goes on to address: How comfortable you want to be; how you want people to treat you; what you want you loved ones to know. Five Wishes is a document that is currently distributed by hospitals, hospices places of worship, attorneys and many financial planners. If you would like a copy of this document, please contact Kevin Wheeler at National Cremation Society at 602-840-0335. This document is available in both English and Spanish.