Don’t WaitTil it’s Too Late!

Lisa Gascoigne, RNRoxanne Harling, RN

Consider the Facts:• 90% of people say that talking with their family

about end-of-life care is important

BUT

• Only 27% have actually done so

Consider the Facts:• Nearly 80% of People say that they want to die at

home

BUT

• Almost 75% of people DO NOT.

Consider the Facts:People without Advanced Care Planning

are moved

an average of three times in the last few weeks of life.

Consider the Facts:• About 80% of People say that they do not want

their life extended by machines

BUT

• The use of mechanical ventilation in the 90 days prior to death has increased in the last 15 years.

Objectives:• What Advanced Directives and Healthcare

Planning is• Why it is important• When you need to do it• Who you need to tell

Types of Advanced Directives• Living Will • Power of Attorney for Health Care• POLST – Physician Orders for Life Sustaining

Treatment

Living Will• Describes and instruction on how the person

wants end-of-life managed. • This takes effect ONLY when the patient is

terminally ill

Power of Attorney for Healthcare• Gives a designated person (or persons) authority

to make healthcare decisions for you if you can not speak for yourself.

Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment

•Gives specific instructions on what the person would want in the event of certain healthcare situations.•Signed by a Physician as an ORDER for the type of care that you want.

Focus on Power of Attorney for Healthcare

Important because it not only designates guidelines on what is most important to you—

but also WHO speaks for you- if you cant speak for yourself.

Where to Start• What would you like your healthcare agent to

know?– What is important to you?– Specific preferences– Your Personal Values and Wishes

Who to choose?• At least 18 years old• Someone you trust • Will do what is best for you and carry out your

wishes• Consider a second health care agent…just in case

Plan to Talk• When/Where is a good time?• What do you want to say?• How to start the conversation

– I need your help with something– I was thinking about ____ and it made me realize that

I needed to talk to you about– I want to be prepared to avoid stress if I get sick so

that my family is aware of my wishes

What to talk about• Your thoughts and specific wishes you want to

have followed.

Get it in Writing!• Forms can be completed without the help of an

attorney.• Any healthcare provider can assist you, or

someone that you trust in the community• Your signature will need to be witnessed, but NOT

by the person you are going to name as your healthcare agent.

Share the Documents• Keep the forms easy for others to find• Give copies to

– Healthcare Agents– Family– Doctors and Hospitals

Communicate• This is the first of many conversations! • Times to talk again:

– Significant events in your life – marriage, death, divorce

– Significant health event or change in health status– Any time you change your thoughts or

feelings about how you want things done