We don’t often like to think about the end of our lives or the possibility of being so ill that we’re incapacitated — but being prepared can make a stressful situation less stressful for you and your loved ones. That’s where advance care planning comes in.

Advance care planning is the process of thinking and talking about future medical decisions if you had a sudden event, like an accident or illness, and could not make your own decisions. The best time to make these decisions is when you can choose for yourself. An advance directive helps you share those decisions.