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Advance Directivesand End-of-Life Decisions

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Purpose Discuss advance directives and end-of-life

care decisions

Learn the different types of advance directives

Recognize advantages and disadvantages of advance directives

Identify resources that can help you complete your advance directives

Do you have a written plan stating what health care treatments you would or would not want if you could not speak for yourself?

Why Bother?

Why You Need Advance Directives Your wishes will be known

Only used if you are unable to express your decisions

This can happen to anyone – at any age

Give your loved ones the gift of peace of mind – write down your wishes!

Interesting to note… Most Americans – 88 percent – feel

comfortable discussing issues relating to death and dying*

Yet only 42% have a living will*

*National Survey on Death, Dying, and Hospice Care in America, VITAS Innovative Healthcare, 2004

A written statement of your wishes, preferences and choices regarding end-of-life health care decisions

A tool to help you think through and communicate your choices

What are Advance Directives?

Advance Directives Written instructions about future medical care

Only used: If you are seriously ill or injured, and Unable to speak for yourself

Should include: Living will Medical (health care) power of attorney

What is a Living Will?

A legal document with your wishes about medical treatment

You choose: What you do want What you don’t want

What is a Medical Power of Attorney?

A legal form that states who you want to make decisions about medical care

The person is authorized to speak for you ONLY if you are unable to make your own medical decisions

May also be called: "health care proxy or agent" “health care surrogate” "durable power of attorney for health care"

Advance Directives: Advantages

You are in charge of making your own decisions

Documents can be changed anytime

You DO NOT need an attorney

Documents can help you express your wishes

Individual forms are available to download for FREE at www.caringinfo.org

Advance Directives: Disadvantages Advance Directives (AD) may not be

available when needed

Not readily available in patient charts

Living wills: may not be specific enough may be overridden by a treating MD does not immediately translate into MD order

Medical Terms for End-of-Life Care Decision Making Life-Sustaining Treatment

Artificial Nutrition and Hydration (tube feeding)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR)

Palliative Care

Hospice

Resources in Our Community List your local resources here

www.caringinfo.org • 800.658.8898

FREE Resources Available from Caring Connections State-specific advance directives

Advance care planning Web resources

Brochures to download or order: Advance Directives and End-of-Life Decisions Health Care Agents: Appointing One & Being One Conversations Before the Crisis You Have Filled Out Your Advance Directive… Now What? Ask Tough Questions

It’s About How You LIVE!

Learn about your options, choices and decisions

Implement your advance directive plans

Voice your decisions

Engage others to complete their advance directives