Advanced Directives Flashcards
What is advance care planning?
Having the conversation
Completing the documents
Advocating
Why do you need an advance directive?
Chronic illness Aging population Medical intervention Distance of family members Diminish capacity
Define Illness
Subjective perception by a patient of an objectively define disease
Define Trajectory
The path that a moving object follows through space as a function of time
Define Illness Trajectory
Course of a patients’ experience of a disease through a given period of time
What does advance care planning involve?
Learning about treatment options
Thinking about your values
talk about your decisions
Documenting your wishes
Why should one plan ahead?
Unable to speak for yourself
Sudden illness or accidents
Leave a guide for others
Peace of mind for loved ones
Living Will
States what you want & do not want for medical treatments at the end of life
Other Names for a Living Will
Directive to physician
Healthcare declaration
Medical directive
Define Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney
Documents WHO makes medical decisions about your healthcare
Authorized to speak ONLY if you can’t
Other Names for a Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney
Healthcare proxy or agent
Healthcare surrogate
Durable power of attorney for healthcare
Define POLST
Provider order for life sustaining treatment
Serves as a DNR
POLST vs. AD
POLST: seriously ill/frail, at any age, specific order for current treatment (changeable), can be signed by decision maker
AD: anyone 18+, general instructions for future treatment, appoints decision maker
Talking Points with Advanced Directives
Valuable opportunity to reflect on what’s important with loved ones
Discussion needs to happen before a crisis
Can provide comfort to loved ones
Up to YOU to initiate
AD documents provide a tool to guide your conversation
Focus on outcome rather than treatment
Address benefits vs. burdens
Person in their environment
Types of Advance Directives
Healthcare power of attorney
POLST
Living will
