Advance care planning is crucial for ensuring that seniors' healthcare wishes are known and respected. It involves documenting how they want to be treated in various medical situations. This provides peace of mind for both the seniors and their families. Senior Helpers Orlando offers this guide to help caregivers and relatives of seniors navigate these vital conversations and the necessary documentation.
What Is Advance Care Planning?
Advance care planning is the process of discussing and documenting a senior's healthcare preferences. It helps families make informed decisions if the senior becomes unable to communicate their wishes. The benefits are numerous. It reduces uncertainty for families, ensures the senior's wishes are honored, and decreases stress for everyone involved. A common misconception is that advance care planning is only for very old or seriously ill individuals, but, in reality, it's a good practice for all adults. It simply means being prepared for any situation.
How to Initiate the Conversation
Starting this conversation with seniors can be challenging. Choose a calm, private time when you won't be interrupted. Approach the topic with sensitivity. Let your senior loved one know you want to ensure their wishes are honored. Emphasize that this planning is about their control over their future care. Here are some relevant questions to ask:
- What kind of medical treatments do you want or not want?
- Who would you trust to make medical decisions for you if you couldn't?
- What are your thoughts on life-sustaining treatments like ventilators and feeding tubes?
Documenting Healthcare Wishes
Here are a few essential legal documents that you'll need:
- Living Will —A living will outline what kind of medical treatments a person does or does not want. This can include decisions about life-support and other medical interventions.
- Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) — A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare designates someone to make medical decisions on the senior's behalf if they are unable to do so themselves. This should be someone who understands and respects their wishes.
- Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR) — Do Not Resuscitate Orders specifically state that the senior does not want to undergo CPR if they stop breathing or their heart stops.
Completing these documents requires specific forms. These can be obtained from healthcare providers or legal advisors. Once completed, ensure these documents are stored in a safe but accessible place. Copies should be given to the designated healthcare proxy and relevant healthcare providers. Remember to review and update these documents regularly, as wishes and situations can change over time.
Involve Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers play an important role in advance care planning. Discuss plans with the senior's doctors to ensure they understand and can respect the senior's wishes. It is helpful to have the healthcare team's input, especially for understanding the medical implications of various decisions. Coordinating with them ensures everyone is on the same page. This may mean bringing the documents to medical appointments and discussing them with multiple members of the team. The senior's wishes are documented in their medical records and communicated clearly to all relevant medical staff. This increases the likelihood that their instructions will be followed in an emergency.
Senior Helpers Can Assist With Advance Care Planning
Senior Helpers offers comprehensive, in-home senior care services with the health and happiness of our community's seniors in mind. If you live in the Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, or Kissimmee areas, don't hesitate to contact us anytime at Senior Helpers Orlando. We are here to provide the support you need to ensure your loved one's future is secure.