Peter Saul’s Ted Talk, “Let’s Talk About Dying,” is a frank discussion by an ER doctor about how we are likely to die and how important it is to plan ahead.  Getting ahead of the issue that people tend to conflate advance care planning with euthanasia, he notes that “advance care planning, is for everyone, whereas situations where euthanasia might be contemplated would realistically affect only an infinitesimally small percentage of cases.”

Saul suggests asking some simple questions. “In the event that you became too sick to speak for yourself, who would you like to speak for you? And then, have a conversation with that person about what you’d like to have happen?”

One of the most helpful things we can do for our family members, loved ones, and ourselves is to prepare an Advance Directive.  It’s worth watching Peter Saul’s Ted Talk; it’s about 13 minutes.