Advanced Care Planning: As Simple as A-B-C-D

Your future healthcare is too important to leave to chance. Advanced Care Planning (ACP) helps you decide, plan, and clearly communicate your wishes so your family and care team know exactly what you want, even if you are unable to speak for yourself. Making these decisions ahead of time gives you peace of mind and protects your loved ones from having to guess during stressful moments.

At Overture Home Care, we like to think of Advanced Care Planning as simple as A-B-C-D:

A: Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA)
This document allows you to choose a trusted person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so. It ensures your healthcare choices are guided by someone who knows and respects your wishes.

B: Directive to Physicians (Living Will)
A living will outlines what types of life-sustaining treatments you do or do not want in certain medical situations. It helps your family and providers honor your preferences with confidence.

C: Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate (OOH-DNR)
This form tells emergency personnel whether or not you want resuscitation efforts outside of a hospital setting. It brings clarity during emergency situations and ensures your wishes are followed.

D: Texas POLST (Portable Medical Order)
A POLST is a medical order that outlines your specific treatment preferences for serious illness or advanced medical conditions. It travels with you across care settings to ensure continuity of your wishes.

Advanced Care Planning is about taking control of your future care and helping your family avoid uncertainty, stress, and difficult decisions during emotional times. These conversations are not always easy, but they are one of the most loving things you can do for the people who care about you.

Over the next few months, we will take a deeper look at each of these documents—what they mean, when they matter, and how they help you stay in control of your care. We are also planning a community Advanced Care Planning event, where we will walk through these topics together, answer questions, and help you feel confident about your choices. More details coming soon.

If you are ready to start the conversation or want to learn more today, talk to Overture Home Care about Advanced Care Planning. We are here to support you every step of the way.

blog By Dr. Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C, CPPS, FNAP, Overture home care clinical consultant