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Sally Gabriel Ph.D.
Advanced Care Planning
Peace of Mind for You and Your Loved Ones
Preparing for the end of life is an act of love. Advance Care Planning ensures your medical wishes are known, respected, and legally documented—so you and your family can face the future with confidence and peace of mind.
Through gentle guidance, I help you clarify your values, create advance directives, and complete essential forms -- a living will and a health care proxy (also called a health care power of attorney). Together, we’ll make sure your choices are clearly communicated to loved ones and your medical team, reducing uncertainty and stress during critical moments.
The Heart of Advance Care Planning
More Than Documents—
It’s About Dignity and Clarity
Advance Care Planning is about more than paperwork—it’s about defining what matters most to you and ensuring those values guide your care. My role is to walk beside you as we discuss your beliefs, priorities, and comfort care preferences, translating those into a clear plan that honors your voice.
We’ll review all aspects of your end of life planning process and create an advance directive -- selecting a health care proxy and drawing up a living will that documents your medical wishes at end of life, so you can feel secure knowing your final wishes are recorded and respected.
Benefits of Working With a Specialist in Advance Care Planning
Why Professional Guidance Matters
Navigating end of life planning and medical wishes can feel overwhelming. It's natural to put off these essential tasks. Working with a trained end of life professional ensures your documents are complete, accurate, and reflective of your wishes, while also helping you and your loved ones feel supported throughout the process.
Here's What You Can Expect:
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Assistance with legally sound documentation for your medical and comfort care wishes
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Peace of mind for yourself and your family
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Clarity and confidence when facing future healthcare decisions
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Support completing your living will and health care surrogate paperwork
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Reduced stress during medical emergencies
"Whenever I prepare for a journey I prepare as though for death. Should I never return, all is in order."
- Katherine Mansfield
How Epilogue Care Can Help with Advance Care Planning
Understanding the Difference in Care
As a trained death doula and grief educator, I guide individuals and families through the emotional and practical aspects of medical wishes planning.
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Compassionate conversations about your healthcare values and preferences
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Support with planning for medical treatment at end of life (living will)
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Guidance on choosing a health care proxy/surrogate
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Help organizing and sharing your documents with family and providers
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Continued updates as your needs and choices evolve
What You’ll Receive with ADVANCED CARE PLANNING Services
Compassionate Guidance for Some Of Life’s Most Important Decisions
Through thoughtful conversations and personalized planning, you’ll gain clarity, comfort, and confidence knowing your or your loved one's wishes are understood and respected.
Creating an Advance Directive: I help you complete your living will, which specifies the type of medical treatment you want and don't want at the end of life. I will ensure that your medical wishes are legally protected and easily accessible.
Designating Decision-Makers: We’ll prepare a health care proxy or surrogacy form, which identifies who can speak on your behalf if you’re unable to.
Facilitating Family Conversations: I help you communicate your choices with loved ones and medical professionals to ensure everyone understands and honors your wishes.
Ongoing Review and Support: Life and health circumstances change. I offer ongoing guidance to help you revisit and update your advance care documents as needed.
What you need to know about ADVANCED CARE PLANNING support
Advance care planning is the process of thinking about, discussing, and documenting your preferences for medical care at end of life in the event that you can’t speak for yourself. It helps ensure that your healthcare decisions reflect your personal values, beliefs, and wishes. Having a plan in place brings peace of mind—both for you and your loved ones—by reducing confusion and ensuring that your care aligns with what matters most to you.
An advance directive is a general term for legal documents that outline your healthcare wishes at the end of life. A living will is one specific type of advance directive—it details the medical treatments or interventions you would or would not want if you’re unable to communicate at the end of life. An advance directive also includes appointing a healthcare proxy or surrogate to make decisions on your behalf if you are not longer able. Together, these documents ensure your voice is heard when you cannot speak for yourself.
A health care proxy—also known as a health care surrogate—is a trusted person you choose to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so. This person advocates for your wishes, communicates with your care team, and ensures your values guide your treatment. Choosing someone who understands and respects your preferences is one of the most essential parts of advance care planning.
It’s a good idea to review and update your advance care documents every few years or after any major life change—such as a new diagnosis, marriage, divorce, or the loss of a loved one. Regular updates ensure your plan stays current with your values and circumstances. Reviewing your plan with both your healthcare team and loved ones keeps everyone informed and aligned.
Yes. Many aspects of advance care planning, including discussions, education, and document preparation, can be completed remotely. Through virtual sessions, I can guide you through each step of completing your living will and healthcare proxy forms, ensuring everything is done correctly and thoughtfully—no matter where you’re located.
Advance care planning removes the burden of uncertainty for loved ones. When your wishes are clearly documented and shared, your family doesn’t have to guess or make difficult decisions under pressure. This clarity allows them to focus on being emotionally present rather than managing crises, creating peace of mind and reducing conflict during an already challenging time.