Season 4 Premiere #NHDD2026 National Healthcare Decisions Day: What is Capacity?

Show notes-Mourning Dove Medical Presents Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare Guest Catherine Wicker, Esq - Founder and Principal attorney of Wicker Law- Houston, Texas native - Lived in Hawaii- Masters of public health with emphasis in social determinants of health- Based in San Diego since 2009Previous NHDD podcasts 🔗#NHDD2023 The Conversation Project resources https://open.spotify.com/show/2u3BXV3MNZBzhGPaQftlDs #NHDD2024 Interdisciplinary discussion with Founder Nathan Kottkamp, Esq in collaboration with The Heart of Hospice podcast https://youtu.be/Bp0h1sDqPYs?si=gL2VvIaTWHhxKQHn#NHDD2025 Discussed How to Age and Die in Bliss with a Healthcare RoadMap https://youtu.be/1azmcZvVlMU?si=xwXdlnkcVa4bkF5OMission of this podcast-Educate & Empower in three parts, helping listeners ‘SEE’ what’s needed to navigate the healthcare system. 1. Story (theme) Dr. G is often called upon to evaluate individuals for capacity and write a letter of capacity when families are in crisis (needing to access funds for care, etc.). NHDD is about preserving individuals AUTONOMY with an advance directive. Let’s normalize the necessary conversations about advance care planning. Mapping the end   - CLOSLER https://closler.org/lifelong-learning-in-clinical-excellence/mapping-the-end2. Educate -Teaching points- What is CAPACITY?- California's Health Care Decisions Law, Probate Code section 4600 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=PROB&division=4.7.&title=&part=&chapter=&article=&nodetreepath=7 - Framework (avenues of preserving rights to make medical decisions) POA, Healthcare proxy, conservator - Contrast capacity with COMPETENCY (a judicial determination)- How can individuals ensure that’s outsiders will not challenge their advance directive? - Iron clad Advance Directive? (Date, witnessed)- Values worksheet Source: End of Life Choices California - EOLCCA Values Worksheet https://endoflifechoicesca.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CC_Values_Worksheet.pdf - Estate Planning for the End of Life podcast: https://youtu.be/RJGlfbf8abw?si=wrgom8wTF4m0T5B53. Empower -A valuable a resource https://wickerlaw.com “Where Law and Healthcare Align”This discussion is not medical or legal advice, it’s for educational purposes ONLY. Website info https://mourningdovemedical.comVideo podcast 🔗 https://youtu.be/JNo_5jxpboI?si=PM0DIuEZxzOh1fpn#hapc #EducateAndEmpower #PeaceOfMind #TheRealDealAboutHospice #Hope #LateStagesOfLife #RealTalk #NHDD2026