The Foglight on Substack

In the last part of this series on being a health-care proxy, I share three more important questions to ask your loved ones. These questions are designed to clarify values regarding a common medical intervention as well as dementia, so you are better prepared for clarifying conversations that will help you make decisions that truly reflect their wishes.

In this second installment, we continue exploring end-of-life choices to prepare you to speak on someone else's behalf. We shift from general planning to practical questions that drive real-world decisions, such as those that help you understand their viewpoint on common concerns about medical treatment, independence, and dignity.

The last gift you will likely give your loved one is consent to receive specific care, procedures, or medicines. We explore how to think and talk about these medical choices, so you are prepared to confidently speak for your loved one when they can’t speak for themselves. Read on, it’s not as scary as you think.

In This Issue: A scene from HBO’s The Pitt taught me the short ritual of “the four things that matter most” to help families at the end of a loved one’s life. This issue explores the four simple phrases that bring comfort, healing, and closure.

In This Issue: The Foglight is a space for stories, lived experiences, and information about our healthcare system. This week, I’m thrilled to turn it over to my buddy, Dr. Brian Schack, who faithfully practices internal medicine and pediatrics in beautiful rural Kentucky and whose voice is not one often heard in the national media. When I came across Dr. Schack’s social media post, I knew I wanted to share it.