By Missy Herridge
Healthcare providers and families urge seniors to take a proactive approach to healthcare, outlining their end-of-life wishes prior to an emergent event. Not only do written statements ensure seniors receive the care they desire, but specific directions help family members make decisions aligning with their loved ones’ wishes should medical conditions render seniors unable to advocate for themselves. The following list of healthcare documentation is not exhaustive; however, it should help initiate senior healthcare discussions with physicians and family members.
Power of Attorney (POA)
The Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document giving authority to an attorney-in-fact, or agent, to act on behalf of another once he or she is unable to make decisions. The person filling out the POA is the one who will receive care; this person is called the principal. The principal dictates who the agent is and when the agent is given authority. Principals may bestow authority upon signing or whatever point they choose, such as unconsciousness. Different types of POAs exist, all with customizable scopes of power, providing seniors flexibility in developing a suitable POA.
One type of POA is the Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA). This form is a type of Advance Directive, which is a written statement explaining what others should do in the event an individual is unable to make health care decisions for his or herself. This HCPOA allows the agent to carry out the principal’s wishes regarding Health Care decisions. If David (principal) names his son, Bill, as his agent, David has a HCPOA giving Bill authority to make medical decisions on David’s behalf once David is declared unable to make decisions for himself. David’s HCPOA specifies when, how long, in what areas and to what capacity Bill has agent power. Another type of POA is the Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA). If David designates Bill the agent for finances, David’s FPOA states Bill is to manage David’s finances which may include paying medical bills, filing taxes, and handling other assets in David’s name. A financial POA may extend to day-to-day business transactions, property, and more. It is up to David how much Bill can do on his behalf.
Living Will
A living will is another Advance Directive specifying the type of life–prolonging medical care an individual wishes to receive in the event he or she becomes terminally ill and is unable to make his or her own decisions. Living wills take effect only if a doctor declares the patient incapacitated and unlikely to recover. A feeding tube is an example of a life-prolonging treatment. In the event David cannot naturally intake nourishment, David’s living will explicitly state his choice to accept or refuse a feeding tube, under what circumstances and for how long. David’s living will eliminates confusion and ensures he receives the treatment he desires.
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR)/Practitioners Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) and POLST (Practitioner’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) are also Advance Directives. The DNR and POLST documents dictate what medical staff should do in life-threatening situations. Should a healthcare provider find David without a pulse and not breathing, his DNR tells clinical staff whether to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). David may use a POLST to create a practitioner or physician order reflecting his wishes. A POLST is similar to a living will, but it is a clinical order and is more specific than a living will. The POLST contains four parts: DNR, medical intervention (IV, monitors, tubes, etc.), antibiotic use and artificial nutrition or hydration. It is vital to clearly define emergency healthcare wishes. If David does not specify his wishes, medical staff must perform all life-sustaining treatments necessary.
Where to Find These Forms
Different states may have their own Advance Directive forms. For Advance Directives in Illinois, seniors will find the DNR/POLST, power of attorney and living will documentation by visiting www.DPH.Illinois.gov. Seniors should consult their healthcare provider or social worker for assistance filling out healthcare-related forms. The FPOA can be found at financial and legal institutions. Seniors should seek legal counsel when filling out a FPOA due to the complexity of finances and asset management.
Senior years are great ones. Although it can be difficult to write down a plan for so many medical scenarios, by doing so, seniors ensure they receive the care they want, even after reaching a medically-vulnerable state. Communicating end-of-life wishes not only gives seniors peace of mind, but it gives them control. For advice about senior healthcare options, please talk to a senior care provider or hospital social worker.
If you would like to learn more about how to pay for long-term care and discuss care options in your community, please contact Missy Herridge, Community Relations Coordinator for Heritage Health in Chillicothe. Missy can be reached at: 309-274-2194 or mherridge@heritageofcare.com. To find other homes in the Heritage family, please visit our website at www.HeritageOfCare.com.
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