Advance care planning involves engaging in discussions, making decisions, and implementing directives for medical treatment, such as drafting a Living Will and designating a healthcare proxy to make decisions on behalf of an individual who may become incapacitated. It is a crucial process that can significantly impact one's life, as well as the lives of aging parents, particularly during emergencies or when navigating end-of-life care.
For advance care planning to be truly effective, it must be thorough and ongoing, involving not only the individual but also their family, friends, chosen proxy, and healthcare providers. The plan should align with the personal values and beliefs of the elderly and remain adaptable to changing circumstances. Communication stands out as the foremost initial step in this process. It is imperative to consider the preferences of aging elder while they are capable of clear thinking, and to engage in open discussions with family members about these preferences and available options.
Although advance care planning can be challenging and laden with emotions, communicating their wishes in advance reduces the likelihood of conflicts in the future and alleviates the burden on the family. Several crucial considerations should be meticulously addressed in the process of advance care planning.
Set up Early Conversations
Setting up Early Conversations involve discussing and making decisions about future medical care and end-of-life desires before they are required. These conversations usually include issues like:
Values and Beliefs: It's essential to consider personal concerns, values, spiritual beliefs, or perspectives on what gives life meaning when crafting an advance care plan.
Preferences: Many individuals have thoughts about how they want to approach death or disability but may feel uneasy discussing them. Sharing one's own ideas, if assisting someone, or examining the experiences of other family members or friends who have faced similar situations, can aid in opening up these discussions.
Healthcare Proxy: It's crucial to determine whom your love one will designate as their healthcare proxy (also known as a surrogate or agent) decision-maker. Choosing a single proxy is a significant decision. The selected individual should be capable of making decisions that align with and respect your their values and beliefs regarding care. It's important to select someone whom your parent trusts to understand and uphold their wishes, even if these wishes involve declining life-sustaining treatments. Avoiding this discussion can inadvertently cause distress for families.
Assistance in Planning: Various professionals are available to support you in developing advance directives to honor your elderly parent's preferences. Elder law lawyers, social workers, and clergy members are typical examples. Additionally, certain counselors and social workers, particularly those associated with hospice services, possess specialized expertise to provide comprehensive guidance throughout the advance care planning journey.
Advance Care Planning for Documents
What types of Advance Care Planning Documents do you need?
An Advance Directive encompasses two main types of documents: living wills and medical powers of attorney. These documents enable you to outline your preferences for medical care if you become incapacitated, including your stance on life-sustaining treatments, and designate someone to make decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so. It's essential to note that advance directives should encompass both the treatments you wish to receive and those you do not.
Living Wills, also known as medical directives, are written instructions detailing your desired medical care in situations where you cannot communicate your preferences. While living wills are recognized in 47 states and the District of Columbia, the specific requirements for execution can vary by state, necessitating a review of your state's laws before finalizing the document.
A Power of Attorney, alternatively termed a health care or durable power of attorney, appoints a designated individual as your health care proxy or agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're incapacitated, extending beyond terminal illnesses. These documents are recognized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with some states outlining the scope of decisions the proxy can make.
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a directive from a physician indicating that life-saving measures such as CPR should not be attempted in specific medical emergencies. You can include a request for a DNR in your advance directive or communicate it directly to your physician. Most healthcare facilities have policies and forms for DNR orders, which can be addressed with the assistance of hospital staff if you opt for this choice during hospitalization.
How to Ensure that your Love One's Wishes are Fulfilled?
Here are some steps to ensure that advance care planning is implemented:
Step1: Complete a living will and medical power of attorney. If feasible, seek advice from an elder law attorney or another professional regarding state-specific laws or regulations concerning these planning documents.
Step 2: Make sure your family and other important individuals in your life are aware of your love one's wishes and the contents of these documents. It's particularly crucial to discuss your mom and dad's decisions with the designated health care proxy to ensure their comfort with the role and their readiness to fulfill the responsibilities.
Step 3: Keep planning documents readily accessible and in multiple locations. Consider providing your mom or dad with a wallet card. Distribute copies to family members, friends, the physician's office, and/or lawyer as appropriate. It's essential that the health care proxy possesses a copy or can promptly access one in case of an unforeseen emergency.
Step 4: Regularly review plans to confirm they remain content with their decisions, and ensure that the health care proxy is still capable and willing to execute their wishes.
Advance planning for your love one's elderly care through advance care planning is paramount for ensuring their wishes are respected and their medical needs are met, particularly during emergencies or end-of-life situations. It is important to seek professional advices when necessary and to regularly review and update the plan as circumstances change. By taking proactive steps to communicate and document their preferences, families can mitigate conflicts and ensure their love one receive the care they desire.
If you need help in assisting anyone with elderly care, Apex Professional Care are here to provide excellence services for you. Feel free to send us message on contact section.
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