When things are going well, the last thing we want to talk about is death. In fact, according to Boston-based non-profit, The Conversation Project, 90% of people say talking to loved ones about end-of-life care is important; however, only 27% have actually done so.
What are advanced directives?
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, advance directives are simply defined as, “legal documents that allow you to spell out your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They give you a way to tell your wishes to family, friends, and health care professionals and to avoid confusion later on.”
Suppose you become incapacitated or so ill that you cannot make or clearly communicate your own health care choices. Without advance directives in place, your family will be left to make heart wrenching decisions they will have to live with forever. Clearly documenting your wishes in writing relieves them of that burden, and that might be the greatest gift you can give them.
The most common types of advance directives are:
Living Will – Specifies types of care you do or do not wish to have; for instance, CPR, artificial nutrition or hydration, extended care on a ventilator, blood transfusions, surgeries, invasive tests, or curative treatments. A living will does not permit you to name a health care proxy.
Power of Attorney for Healthcare – Names a health care proxy to legally make health care decisions for you when you are unable to do so. It does not give anyone the authority to make legal or financial decisions on your behalf.
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate Order) – A specific order written by your physician which tells health care providers not to perform CPR if your heart or breathing stops.
It’s important to note that laws differ from state to state, so you should contact an attorney or other expert for complete details. Be sure to make your health care proxy and family members aware of the documents and their location, and provide a copy to your physician.
At Best Care, our mission is to match clients with home health caregivers to help ensure the best quality of life possible. If you are in South Florida, please contact us to talk about how we might be able to help your family.
