Lesson 1: Introduction to Advanced Directives

Lesson: Understanding Advanced Directives and End-of-Life Care Options

This lesson will provide an overview of advanced directives, what they include, and their importance in healthcare planning.

What Are Advanced Directives?

Advanced Directives are legal documents that outline your healthcare preferences if you are unable to make or communicate decisions yourself. These documents ensure that your wishes are respected and guide your loved ones and healthcare providers during critical moments.

• Purpose:

  • To maintain control over your medical care.

  • To reduce the burden on family members by providing clear instructions.

  • To prevent unnecessary treatments or interventions that you may not want.

What Do Advanced Directives Include?

1. Living Will:

   • Activated only if you are incapacitated and unable to communicate.

2. Medical Power of Attorney (Healthcare Proxy):

   • Designates someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf.

3. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and Do Not Intubate (DNI) Orders:

   • Specifies your wishes regarding resuscitation and artificial ventilation if your heart or breathing stops.

4. POLST or MOST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment):

   • A medical order completed with your doctor to outline your preferences for emergency care.

   • Used for people with serious illnesses or at advanced age.

Hospice and Palliative Care Services

These are typically covered by health insurance and can be utilized when you are terminal and/or at an advanced age and not longer want aggressive medical treatment, but prefer to focus on comfort and quality of life.

1. Palliative Care:

   • Aims to improve quality of life for individuals with serious or chronic illnesses.

   • Can be provided alongside curative treatments.

   • Addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

   • Includes pain management, counseling, and family support.

2. Hospice Care:

   • Specialized care for individuals nearing the end of life (typically with a prognosis of 6 months or less).

   • Focuses entirely on comfort rather than curative treatments.

   • Provided in various settings: home, hospice facilities, or hospitals.

   • Includes:

     • Pain and symptom management.

     • Emotional and spiritual support for the patient and family.

     • Bereavement support for loved ones after death.