Information Country

Advanced health care directives are written instructions that communicate your wishes regarding care and treatment should you no longer be able to make your own health care decisions. Some directives are broken down into two parts - a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA). The exact language and type of document will vary depending upon the laws in your location.

Basically a Living Will allows certain treatments to be withheld or withdrawn if using them will only prolong your dying process; or if you are unconscious (and in a vegetative state) and there is no hope for recovery. An example of treatment may include feeding tubes or resuscitation if you heart stops working.

If you are unable to make health care decisions, either temporarily or permanently, a HCPOA allows you to appointment someone to make them on your behalf. It is in your best interest to choose someone who understands thoroughly your desires and is willing to honor your requests. Should you not designate a decision making person(s), generally your legal next of kin will be looked for to make that decision for you. Caution - please note that it is your “legal” next of kin who will be making decisions, and not necessarily your significant other of 25 years. In today’s world, this is another very important reason to have these documents in place.

From the standpoint of a health care provider who has worked from intensive care to hospice to primary care, I cannot stress enough the importance of having these documents completed…NOW. One never knows when one will have need of them, and these documents will save you and those that love you much grief and suffering.

In many cases, you can obtain forms from your health care provider. Forms are also readily available online. A simple online search using “Advanced Health Care Directive” on google pulled up 680,000 pages. You can break that down further by including your state/country.

Once you have these forms filled out, signed, witnesses, and perhaps even notarized, make several copies and put the original in a safe place. Make sure that the person/persons whom you have designated as your decision maker have a copy of the document, as well as your health care provider, hospital, and anyone else who needs one. Please make sure that everyone involved knows your wishes.

And remember, should you change your mind….just fill out a new form. The most current form is always the valid one.

Do it today.

For over 26 years, Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP has been involved in health care. Now, as the founder of OlderWiserWomen, LLC, that experience and passion is focused on Women who want to experience the freedom, magic and wisdom of successful aging. She can be reached through http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com

U’ve seen thousands of photos, tried on dozens of gowns. But you
may have missed some small items in your search for the perfect
wedding-day look — those essential unmentionables that go under
the dress. Undergarments provide the foundation necessary for
your outerwear to look how it’s supposed to. They can change the
way your dress fits, so you’ll need to purchase them before your
first fitting. Read on for the lowdown on lingerie.

BRA

The bra is the uberundergarment, that leading piece of lingerie
to which all others play supporting roles. You’ll need a good,
supportive bra to lift you up as you walk down the aisle and
keep you comfortable for hours of dining, dancing, and posing
with relatives. Many bridal boutiques offer decorative bras that
are as creative — and nearly as costly — as the gown itself.
While some of these elegant brassieres have unique proportions
that can be quite useful with the right gown, make comfort your
priority: You don’t want insufficient support or annoying wires
cutting into your sides on your wedding day. And remember, you
can slip into provocative, flimsy lingerie when you take the
gown off.

Before you buy, ask about the store return policy. You’ll likely
want to try on a few different bras with your gown, so make sure
that as long as you leave the tags on, the garment is returnable
for a full refund.

Regardless of which style you choose, try not to have
unrealistic expectations for your bra — or yourself — on your
wedding day. If it’s too uncomfortable to wear for a five-hour
stretch on a normal afternoon, why suffer?

SLIMMERS

While old-fashioned girdles have long been out of style, you
might try one of the several contemporary slimming undergarments
that use Lycra or Spandex rather than stiff stays or ancient
whalebone. Make sure you take your bra, slimmer, stockings, and
shoes to your fittings; a body-support garment will give a
slightly different shape than just sucking in your gut, and
changing your “support” down the road will affect the way your
gown fits.

PANTIES

As with the bra and slimmer, choose panties that offer comfort
over sex appeal. (There’s just no way to discreetly rearrange a
pair of creeping panties through a wedding gown!) If your gown
has an unusually slinky cut or is made of very thin material,
you may want to use pantyhose with built-in underwear.

HOSIERY

If you want to wear a fancy garter belt with hooks to hold up
thigh-high hose, make sure you choose one that fits snugly
around your waist — and won’t be seen through your gown! The
pressure of the hose can pull an inexpensive, elastic garter
belt downward, leading to wrinkly knees and an evening of
endless attemts to hitch up your hose (a task nearly as hard to
hide as panty-tugging).

A garter belt is a pretty superfluous item, given the variety of
sleek and sexy pantyhose available. But some women feel extra
sexy just knowing they’re wearing one. If you go with a garter,
you’ll need to test it out to make sure you can bear the
inconvenience.

Before your wedding, try on your gown — with your undergarments
– under the watchful eye of a close friend. Once you’re sure
you won’t show more than you intend to show, forget about it and
have fun!

Getting the most out of your wedding day shouldn’t be contingent
on your lingerie, but it will definitely have an impact on your
memories. Take a chance on your styles, and do it differently
than all others. Make your day more special for bride and groom
with the little details that are so memorable.