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Washougal School Board Seeks Community Input for Superintendent Search

Washougal, WA — The Washougal School District Board of Directors is seeking community input about the skills and professional experiences that would help them identify a candidate who can successfully lead the district and make progress toward our shared goals. 

The board is committed to ensuring strong and effective leadership for our schools and community.  “We would like parents, community members, teachers, and even our students to help us make this very important decision,” Board President Sadie McKenzie said.

Community members canshare feedback through an online survey, which is open through January 7, 2025, or by attending an in-person listening opportunity on December 17, 2024, from 5-7 pm at the Excelsior Building, 1401 39th Street, Washougal. Information about the in-person event and the link to the superintendent search survey are on the district website: https://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/superintendent-search-process/

The board will use the feedback to decide next steps in the search process, including consideration of Interim Superintendent Aaron Hansen as a candidate. 

The board will share updates with the community through the district website and in messages to district families and staff. 

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Camas QB Davidson Named Gatorade WA Football Player of the Year

CHICAGO, IL — In its 40th year of honoring the nation’s most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Jake Davidson of Camas High School is the 2024-25 Gatorade Washington Football Player of the Year. Davidson is the third Gatorade Washington Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Camas High School.

Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The award distinguishes Davidson as Washington’s best high school football player and he joins an impressive group of alumni that spans CEOs, coaches and star athletes such as Emmitt Smith (1986-87, Escambia High School, Fl.), Peyton Manning (1993-94, Isidore Newman School, La.) and DJ Lagway (2023-24, Willis High School, Texas).

At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior quarterback had led the Papermakers to a 13-0 record and a berth in the Class 4A state championship game. Davidson connected on 201-of-290 passes for 3,440 yards and 50 touchdowns through 13 games. A two-time First Team All-Conference selection, Davidson threw at least three TD passes in 11 of his starts. He had also rushed for five scores.

Davidson has volunteered locally as a youth football coach. 

“I was impressed with Davidson’s ability to keep plays alive and make plays with his feet,” said Steve Pyne, head coach of Union High School. “He makes a significant impact on their success. He has solid talent around him, but he makes them better.”

Davidson has maintained a 3.30 GPA in the classroom. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination. The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states across 12 different high school sports – football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field – and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.

Davidson joins recent Gatorade Washington Football Players of the Year Kolton Matson (2023-24, Lake Stevens High School), Jayden Limar (2022-23, Lake Stevens High School), Josh Wood (2021-22, Graham-Kapowsin High School) and Sam Huard (2020-21, Kennedy Catholic High School), among the state’s list of former award winners.

As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $5.6 million in grants to winners across more than 2,000 organizations.

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow us on social media on Instagram at instagram.com/Gatorade, Facebook at facebook.com/GatoradePOY and X(Twitter) at x.com/Gatorade.

Davidson
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City of Camas Looking for Input on Vision for 5-Year Strategic Plan

Camas, WA — The City of Camas is asking for resident feedback when it comes to the City’s next 5 -year strategic plan via a survey on Engage Camas.

Interested community members can visit https://engagecamas.com/strategic-plan and provide their responses on what they think the City should focus on over the next 5 years in terms of vision, values and priorities, which will help guide City operations and decision-making.

Through a robust engagement process the City aims to foster inclusive and meaningful participation from both internal city staff as well as external community members and residents, ensuring all voices have access to provide input in shaping the future priorities for the City.

Anonymous feedback received through this survey will be shared with members of the Community Advisory Committee to inform recommendations and the development of the strategic plan. The CAC is composed of members representing a diverse array of professional backgrounds, lived experience and insights as to the future of the City of Camas.

More information is available at www.engagecamas.com

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The Power of Business Systems to Boost Your Company’s Success

Running a business is like conducting an orchestra. Every section needs to play in harmony to create beautiful music. In the business world, your systems are the sheet music that keeps everything in sync. Whether you’re managing a small startup or a growing enterprise, having effective business systems can be the difference between hitting a high note and falling flat. Let’s explore how you can harness the power of business systems to boost your company’s success.

Streamline Your Operations for Peak Performance

Imagine trying to cook a gourmet meal without a recipe. You might eventually get there, but it would be chaotic time-consuming, and the results would be inconsistent. That’s what running a business without proper systems is like. By implementing well-designed business systems, you create a recipe for success that your team can always follow.

Start by identifying the core processes in your business. These might include customer service protocols, production workflows, or financial reporting procedures. Once you’ve pinpointed these key areas, clearly document each step. Use flowcharts, checklists, or step-by-step guides to make the information easily digestible. Remember, the goal is to make these processes so clear that anyone can step in and complete the task with minimal training.

With streamlined operations, you’ll notice a significant boost in productivity. Your team won’t waste time reinventing the wheel for every task. Instead, they’ll follow established procedures, allowing them to work faster and more efficiently. This newfound efficiency frees up time and mental energy, which your team can redirect toward innovation and growth initiatives, relieving the stress of constant rework and giving you more control over your business.

Build Consistency and Trust with Your Customers

In today’s competitive market, consistency is king. Customers expect the same high-quality experience every time they interact with your business. Whether they’re buying a product, seeking customer support, or engaging with your brand online, inconsistency can quickly erode trust and loyalty.

This is where your business systems shine. Standardizing your processes ensures that every customer interaction follows the exact blueprint for success. From how your team answers the phone to the steps involved in fulfilling an order, having clear systems guarantees a uniform experience.

Think about some of the most successful brands in the world. Whether you walk into a Starbucks in New York or Tokyo, you know exactly what to expect. This level of consistency doesn’t happen by chance – it’s the result of carefully designed and implemented business systems.

To build this kind of consistency in your own business, start by mapping out the customer journey. Identify every touchpoint where a customer interacts with your brand. Then, create standard operating procedures for each of these interactions. Train your team thoroughly on these procedures and regularly audit their performance to ensure adherence.

You’ll notice increased customer satisfaction and loyalty as you build consistency through your systems. Happy customers will likely become repeat buyers and brand advocates, fueling your business growth.

Adapt and Grow with Confidence

In the fast-paced world of business, change is the only constant. Market trends shift, new technologies emerge, and customer preferences evolve. Adapting to these changes without proper systems in place can feel like trying to turn a large ship with a small rudder – slow and cumbersome.

However, with robust business systems, you create a flexible framework to accommodate change while maintaining stability. Think of your systems as the strong roots of a tree. They provide a solid foundation, allowing your business to bend with the winds of change without breaking.

To build adaptable systems, focus on creating modular and scalable processes. Break down complex operations into smaller, manageable components. This approach allows you to update or replace individual system parts without overhauling everything.

Review and update your systems regularly to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Encourage feedback from your team members who use these systems daily. They often have valuable insights into what’s working well and what could be improved.

Maintaining adaptable systems allows your business to seize new opportunities quickly. Whether expanding into new markets, launching new products, or pivoting your business model, your systems provide the structure to implement changes smoothly and efficiently, giving you the reassurance that your business can weather any storm.

Take the Next Step to Unlock Your Business Potential

I can guide you through implementing these robust business systems and other strategies to help your company thrive. That’s why I offer a Business Breakthrough Session, a personalized consultation where we’ll dive deep into your current legal, insurance, financial, and tax systems and then identify any areas that need improvement. Together, we’ll ensure your business is primed for growth, giving you the freedom and success you’ve been striving for. 

Book a call to start your journey toward a more prosperous, systematic, and scalable business.  Contact us today!

This article is a service of Res Nova Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning™ Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning™ Session.

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

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Gluesenkamp Perez, Golden Introduce Bill on Electoral Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02) announced the introduction of legislation to establish a bipartisan select committee to examine current electoral methods and recommend reforms to reduce political polarization and strengthen our nation’s democracy.

The Electoral Reform Select Committee Act would convene a bipartisan group of lawmakers to consider alternatives to our current winner-take-all electoral system, such as multi-member districts with proportional representation, expanding the House, and independent redistricting commissions.

“Regardless of party or ideology, more and more Americans feel that our democracy isn’t working for them. Voters feel unrepresented and are losing faith in a government that they view as unreflective of their communities and values. As Members of Congress, we need to take a step back, reexamine how we got here, and work toward what we can do to fix it,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “This bipartisan select committee will look at the role our electoral system plays in exacerbating the hyper-partisanship, cynicism, and obstruction that has taken over today’s politics. It’s past time for Congress to set aside the conflict and chaos of clickbait politics and get back to work governing on behalf of the American people.”

“Americans on both sides are fed up with a political system that incentivizes division,”said Rep. Golden. “Fixing our laws to make government more representative doesn’t just sound great on paper: states like Maine have already proven it works. Getting both Democrats and Republicans to start talking about solutions is the first step to a better future.”

This legislation has the support of more than 170 political scientists, who wrote a public letter of support calling for Congress to “take this step towards reversing today’s dangerous levels of polarization and dysfunction and to strengthen itself as the fulcrum of our democracy.”

Earlier this year, Reps. Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden introduced bipartisan election reform legislation, as well as the BRIDGE to Congress Resolution to make it less difficult for constituents to appear before House committees.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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5 Things to Change That Will Improve Your Internet’s Speed

It’s not just you; your internet speed is slower than it used to be. You can find out for sure by running an online speed test using your home’s internet and then comparing it to the advertised speed you’re paying for. There are many variables that can impact your download speed, so the difference of a few megabits-per-second is to be expected. If the speed test shows a large difference, however, there are a few things you can do to help bridge the gap and improve your home internet connection.

Things to Change to Improve Your Internet’s Speed

1. Move the Router

It may be tempting to place your router in a corner or behind a pillar, but doing this can actually hinder your internet speed. Walls, doors, cupboards, closets, and even empty space all contain mass that blocks the Wi-Fi signal from reaching your device, contributing to slower internet speeds. The first step to address this is to move closer to the router, but that’s not always possible with larger devices like televisions and desktop computers. Instead, try moving your router to a more open, centralized location, like the center-most room of your house.

2. Switch Wi-Fi Channels

Like old-school radio, Wi-Fi signals are organized into channels. If your neighbors are also using the same Wi-Fi channel, or even an adjacent channel, the resulting congestion can also slow down your internet speed. To change channels, go into your router’s settings or consult your owner’s manual. Then, select a new channel. Avoid choosing channels close to your original setting, which may still have overlap or interference from your neighbors. Experts often recommend channels 1, 6, or 11, which are non-overlapping channels.

3. Disconnect Unused Devices

These days, the average American household has about 21 separate devices connected to their Wi-Fi network. To reduce the burden on your bandwidth, disconnect any devices that you aren’t actively using. Smart appliances, gaming consoles, or tablets are a good place to start. To take it further, you can also prioritize certain activities over others if your router’s settings include Quality of Service toggling. Once this setting is enabled, you can choose which devices your router will connect to first, such as your video streaming device or your work computer.

4. Replace Router and Older Devices

With age, your router will begin to slow down and become obsolete as new innovations are brought to market. If you have been experiencing slow internet speeds or had your router for more than five years, it may be time for an upgrade. Similarly, your devices may be the culprits behind slow internet if they are too old to keep up with your new, state-of-the-art router.

5. Switch to Faster Internet

If you have exhausted all your options for speeding up your internet on your own, it may be an issue with your actual service. Contact your internet service provider to request a technician who may be more successful at pinpointing the exact cause of your slow internet connection. In cases where no issues can be found, you may have to upgrade to a higher tier or switch to a new ISP.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Osmose

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6 Ways to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

For thousands of years, the concept of leadership has been linked to the skill of public speaking. This was just as true for Marcus Aurelius as it was for Steve Jobs. In many fields, in fact, public speaking is a skill that can still determine the trajectory of a person’s career path; it’s a leadership skill that is perennially useful and is one of the foremost qualities of a truly well-rounded person.

The good news is that public speaking is a skill that can be learned by anyone with enough practice; here are just a few good ways to make sure that your public speaking goals are achievable, manageable, and suited to your particular career or personal needs.

1. Use Positive Reinforcement

If you’re really interested in getting better at public speaking, remember that positive reinforcement tends to go a lot farther than negative reinforcement. Rewarding yourself for practicing in the early stages of skill development might feel like jumping the gun. On the other hand, you’ll be subtly reinforcing the notion that practice of a skill leads to good things with each reward given and micro-goal reached.

2. Set Realistic Finish Lines

As with many things in life, the key to undertaking a serious task is to set a realistic expectation of results and realistic timelines for your efforts to succeed. For many people, the use of vague deadlines and overoptimistic expectations can make a personal or professional project seem thoroughly unattainable. This can lead to a disheartening situation in which a steady stream of false starts create an impression that “nothing will ever go right” or that failure is inevitable.

In other words, try to spend time planning out your roadmap to success well before you start. When it comes to setting goals, what is a realistic achievement to expect and a realistic deadline for the achievement? Just as you’ll want to know where the finish line is while you’re running a marathon, you’ll want to keep in mind what the end of this particular journey looks like and feels like to you.

3. Make a Video

One of the biggest barriers to attaining good public speaking skills is a fundamental misunderstanding of how we appear to others when we have their attention. This is a natural problem that any good public speaker will struggle with: From our perspective as speakers, we can see how others are reacting to what we’re saying and how we’re saying it, but we can’t see what they see. To help this, try to record yourself presenting a written or memorized speech on video.

After you’ve done so, pay special attention to what works and what doesn’t in your mannerisms: Perhaps you’re someone who struggles with eye contact when you’re nervous; perhaps you tend to fidget when you’re at a loss for something to say. Remember that all good public speakers regularly practice their craft by recording themselves or by speaking into a mirror. Master this principle of self-analysis or learning to see yourself as others see you and you’ll be halfway towards becoming an excellent public speaker.

4. Find Subjects That Resonate With You

If you’re deeply invested in a personal cause, it follows that your emotional investment in a given subject will permeate your thoughts, actions, and words concerning that subject. Conversely, a distinct lack of interest on your part in a given subject will make even the most well-written speech ring hollow. To become a great public speaker, learn to be yourself and to pursue subjects that genuinely matter to you.

5. Look at the Bigger Picture

In other words, try to find your mission in life and develop an idea of how your public speaking skills will serve that mission. The Gettysburg Address would not be so convincing to us if Abraham Lincoln were not deeply invested in the outcome of the Civil War at the time the speech was written; as the leader of a country, Lincoln knew what was at stake for himself and for others if his nation was torn apart and directed his words accordingly. While your speech may not have as grand of consequences as that, it’s still important to remember why you’re giving the speech you’re giving.

6. Understand Your Passions

Have you ever watched someone give a speech about something that they clearly don’t care about? Perhaps the “right” words were all there, but emotionally their speech failed to land with their audience. You’ll often see this state of affairs happen in politics when someone has to get across a message that they’re not particularly excited about or interested in.

This is not to say that great speeches can’t be written about potentially dull subjects. However, if your audience sees your eyes light up about a particular subject that is close to your heart, your speech will probably be compelling to them regardless of its subject matter. If you seem bored by the subject or even uninvested in the outcome of a particular line of thinking, however, it probably won’t matter how compelling your argument is on paper. To really excel at public speaking, you need to feel the emotions you want to convey to your audience.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Executive Speakers Bureau

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Explore Some Unique Gift Ideas for This Holiday Season

Trying to come up with unique gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season is an exercise in creativity. While you could always give another mug or blanket, the truth is that the people you care about deserve something special. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend hours dreaming up gift ideas when you can use this list to find the perfect present that anyone will love.

Choose a Special Candle

Scented candles are always a safe option for giving to people you don’t know well. Yet, you can also turn this gift into one that shows you know them personally. You can find candles that melt to reveal a birthstone, ones that look like a bowl of your friend’s favorite cereal and even ones that smell like specific states.

Create Personalized Photo Socks

Socks might be a gift that is jokingly left up to the grandparents to give, but not when you use personalization to make them unique. You can have socks custom printed with the image of someone’s pet, favorite food or even their own face. Having a fun pair of socks that represents their personality is a great idea for anyone who has a sense of humor.

Give Them Better Beauty Sleep With a Silk Pillow

Many people think about buying a silk pillow, but they never get around to buying themselves this luxury. A silk pillow has known benefits for rest and beauty such as reducing hair breakage. This gift is a great option for young adults and teens who are obsessed with their hair health, but it also works for people who are any age.

Pair a Pillow With Silk Pajamas

If you prefer to give a bigger gift than a pillowcase, then you can follow it up with a pair of silk pajamas. Clothing made from silk has a luxurious feel, and this is the perfect gift to give to your houseguests if you’re hosting this season. To increase the appeal, you can also have a set monogrammed to create a truly personalized present.

Honor Someone With a Challenge Coin

The military has used challenge coins for more than a century to reward hard work and inspire a sense of pride and belonging. Today, people are also using challenge coins to enhance friendships, work partnerships and other special relationships. If you’re trying to come up with a gift for a group, then handing out challenge coins is a fun way to highlight your relationships with each other. The coins can be displayed, but they are also fun to carry to challenge everyone who has one to produce it on command.

Hand Out Multitools

If you dislike the idea of giving a gift that just gathers dust, then a multitool is certain to get used. You can find card-style multitools that fit in a person’s wallet, or you might opt for a foldable tool that is easy to carry in a pocket. Either way, this is a great gift to give to a group of people who are just starting out such as your adult grandkids.

Encourage Screen-Free Time With a Neck Reading Light

Knowing which book to give the avid reader in your life can be challenging, especially when they seem to have read through an entire series. However, you can still give a gift that taps into their hobby without doubling up on something they’ve already read. A neck reading light also encourages your loved one to get off their phone and read a paperback, which can promote more restful sleep.

Help Them Hit Goals With a Scratch-Off Poster

Scratch-off posters come in a variety of styles that you can pick from based on your loved one’s hobbies. Watch as they get excited to scratch off the movies they watch over the upcoming year. Or, your loved one might want to scratch off all of the national parks they visit. This gift gives them something to work on over the new year, which is great for people who enjoy making resolutions.

The best gifts are ones that show you put genuine thought and care into their selection. Selecting a gift that shows something special about the recipient is the ideal way to make them smile. Once you’ve found and wrapped the perfect present, you can sail through the holidays with excitement as you look forward to seeing their face during your upcoming gift exchange.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Challenge Coins

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Camas’ Hometown Holidays, Christmas Tree Lighting Set for Dec. 6

Camas, WA -– The City of Camas’ Hometown Holidays, which draws thousands to downtown Camas, will take place Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 pm– 8 pm.  This festive event will include a full slate of activities, including the popular tree lighting ceremony.

Residents and visitors will once again enjoy a bustling downtown Camas, filled with school and community choirs, bands and dancers, photos with Santa (bring your camera!), crafts for the kids, street food vendors, and downtown restaurants and shops open for business.  The tree-lighting ceremony will kick off the event at 5 pm, thanks to the coordination and sponsorship by the Downtown Camas Association and the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce.  Hometown Holidays is coordinated and hosted by Camas Parks & Recreation and coincides with Downtown Camas Association’s First Friday.

Hometown Holidays and the events are free and open to all, thanks to the financial support of Columbia Credit Union, Windermere Camas/Crest Realty, iQ Credit Union, Downtown Camas Association, Lutz Hardware and in-kind donors and volunteers. In addition, various restaurants and food vendors will be open to purchase food. Visitors can also use the opportunity to shop for their holiday gifts in Camas’ well-known historic downtown.  

The free parking shuttle, courtesy of the Camas School District, will run its easy-to-park & ride event shuttles from 4:30 – 8:30 pm. Four color-coded parking lots within 1-mile of downtown Camas will be incorporated into one continuous shuttle route.  The shuttle route will stop at each of the parking lots and will drop off riders on the street between Camas City Hall and the Camas Public Library.  The shuttle is free; details can be found at www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec; and click on the “Special Events” tab.

A few suggestions before venturing out this year, please leave dogs at home; this event is not a good fit, as it will feature very large crowds. Visitors can park their strollers at the Festival Information Tent, located at 4th & Cedar St.; and Journey Church will also be hosting a quiet room to allow diaper changing and nursing mothers. 

For event locations and other event details, visit

https://www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/hometown-holidays-2024

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Navigating End-of-Life Care: Lessons from a Daughter’s Tragic Experience

In an aging society, you might face difficult end-of-life decisions for your loved ones sooner than expected. And when you do, you’ll realize the journey through end-of-life care is rarely straightforward. A recent and heartbreaking story from Maggie Schneider Huston in Newsweek illustrates this. In this article, I’ll highlight key insights from Maggie’s experience and offer practical advice for your situation.

First, know that an advance directive is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical care if you cannot decide for yourself. In most states, it also gives authority to a person or people you choose to act on your behalf and ensure your wishes are fulfilled. With that, let’s dive into Maggie’s story. As you read, consider how you might prepare for similar situations in your life or the lives of your aging relatives.

What Happened?

Maggie’s story begins in 2023. Her mom died, and shortly after, Maggie’s father, Terry, revised his will and created an advance directive. He wanted to be entirely prepared for a planned heart surgery he was to have less than three months later.

His advance directive reflected his desires that he’d been clear about – that he did not want to suffer when his life was coming to an end. He did not want machines to keep him alive. He only wanted to be comfortable. Maggie and her siblings understood and supported their father’s wishes. They gave one of his doctors a copy of his advance directive before the surgery. That doctor later admitted that he hadn’t read it. Terry’s other two doctors did not know he had an advance directive.

After Terry’s heart surgery, his health declined rapidly. As he was lying in the hospital bed, his doctors arguing that he could live with the assistance of machines, he told them that’s not what he wanted. He repeatedly asked for hospice care. Despite Terry’s wishes, his doctors would not order hospice care for him.

Maggie and her siblings quickly got involved and read Terry’s advance directive to the doctors. And after repeated requests, the doctors finally relented. He died shortly after. Even though Terry’s wishes were finally honored, it wasn’t without frustration and heartache for Terry and his family.

It’s easy to see why the doctors insisted on keeping Terry alive. Their job, after all, isn’t to facilitate death but to promote life (no doubt the fear of being sued for medical malpractice was a factor, too). So it’s not a leap to think that if Terry didn’t have an advance directive, he would still be alive today, subsisting on the assistance of machines at an extreme cost to the family.

So, as Maggie’s story illustrates, having an advance directive is just the first step. You must also ensure that the advance directive is readily available and that your chosen advocates are prepared to fight for your wishes if necessary. It also helps to have a trusted lawyer by your side.

Advocating for Your Loved Ones

Maggie’s experience with her father shows how important advocacy can be. If you find yourself in Maggie’s situation with a parent or other loved one, here are some strategies you can take to ensure their wishes are honored:

Be prepared to speak up and ask questions. If you need help understanding something, ask for clarification. Don’t be intimidated by medical jargon or embarrassed about asking for explanations.

Ensure that all medical team members have read and understood the advance directive. Don’t assume that because one doctor has seen it, all of them have.

If your loved one’s wishes are ignored, don’t hesitate to escalate the issue to hospital administration or patient advocacy groups. Remember, you’re not just a visitor but an essential part of your loved one’s care team.

Keep a journal or log of all interactions with healthcare providers. Document who you spoke to, what was discussed, and any decisions made. This can be invaluable if there are disagreements or misunderstandings later.

Build relationships with the nursing staff. The nursing staff spends the most time with patients and can be powerful allies in advocating for your loved one’s care.

Consider bringing in outside help if needed. If you feel your loved one’s rights are being violated, this could be a patient advocate, a social worker, or even a lawyer. Read on, and I’ll show you how to get my help and support.

Take care of yourself during this process. Advocating can be exhausting and emotionally draining. Eat well, get enough sleep, and take breaks when needed.

Your role as an advocate can be challenging, but it’s crucial to ensure your loved one’s wishes are respected. You can also prepare for your future so your loved ones have the support they need to advocate for you if the time comes.

How to Help Your Loved Ones Avoid Similar Outcomes

To help your family avoid the challenges faced by Maggie and her siblings, consider the following steps:

Create a comprehensive advance directive and designate a healthcare proxy. This crucial first step involves clearly outlining your wishes for end-of-life care in a thorough Life & Legacy Plan. When you work with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, I can help you get clear on specific treatments you do or do not want, choose the right people to be your representatives, and ensure they understand and are willing to advocate for your wishes. All these considerations are critically important.

Communicate your wishes openly and distribute your advance directive. Have frank discussions with your family members about your end-of-life preferences. Ensure all relevant family members understand and respect your decisions, proactively addressing concerns or disagreements. Once your wishes are clear, provide copies of your advance directive to your representatives, family members, and primary care physician. I will maintain a copy of your advance directive when you work with me. This wide distribution helps ensure your wishes are known and can be quickly accessed when needed.

Regularly review and update your Life & Legacy Plan. Life circumstances and health conditions can change, potentially affecting end-of-life care preferences. That’s why my Life & Legacy Planning process includes regular reviews of your plan so we can update your plan if needed. This ongoing process of review and update helps ensure that your end-of-life care plans always accurately reflect your current wishes and circumstances and that your plan will work when you and your loved ones need it to.

Finally, remember, end-of-life care isn’t just about how we die – it’s about how we live our final days, weeks, or months. Planning and being prepared to advocate can ensure that this time is as meaningful and comfortable as possible, aligned with your values and wishes. In doing so, you’re providing a final act of love and respect, honoring a life well-lived right up to its very end.

How We Help You Navigate End-of-Life Care

As Maggie’s story clearly illustrates, end-of-life situations can be complex and emotionally challenging. The best time to prepare for these difficult moments is now. We help you create a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that ensures your end-of-life wishes are respected, your loved ones are empowered to advocate for you, and your care aligns with your values when needed. Don’t leave your end-of-life care to chance. Let us help you create a plan that works when you and your loved ones need it most.

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more. Contact us today!

This article is a service of Res Nova Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning™ Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning™ Session.

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

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