Advance Directives and End-of-Life Decisions

Advance Directives Outreach Guide

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Planning Ahead:Planning Ahead:Advance DirectivesAdvance Directivesand End-of-Life and End-of-Life DecisionsDecisions(Add your organization’s name and contact information here)

PurposePurpose

• 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 Map?Do You Have a Map?

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

Why BotherWhy Bother??

Why Why YouYou Need Need Advance DirectivesAdvance 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 Interesting to note…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

• It is a road map for your future health care

What are What are Advance Advance DirectivesDirectives??

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 What is a Living Living WillWill??

• A legal document with your wishes about medical treatment

• A route marked on a map• You choose what you do want &

don’t want• It’s YOUR journey

What is a What is a Medical Power of Medical Power of AttorneyAttorney??

• 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, like a ‘back-up driver’

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

Advance Directives:Advance Directives: AdvantagesAdvantages

• 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• Forms are available for FREE at

www.caringinfo.org

Advance Directives: Advance Directives: DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• 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 Medical Terms for End-of-Life Care End-of-Life Care Decision MakingDecision Making

• Life-Sustaining Treatment• Artificial Nutrition and Hydration (tube

feeding)• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)• Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR)• Palliative Care• Hospice

Resources in Our Resources in Our CommunityCommunity

• List your local resources here

www.caringinfo.org • www.caringinfo.org • 800.658.8898800.658.8898

FREE Resources FREE Resources Available Available from from Caring Caring ConnectionsConnections• State-specific advance directives

• ‘Planning ahead’ Web site information• Brochures to download or order:

– Understanding Advance Directives– You Have Filled Out Your Advance

Directive… Now What?– End-of-Life Decisions– Conversations Before the Crisis– Ask Tough Questions– Communicating End-of-Life Wishes

It’s About How You It’s About How You LIVE!LIVE!LLearn about your options, choices and

decisions

IImplement your advance directive plans

VVoice your decisions

EEngage others to complete their advance directives