Keeping our elderly loved ones safe, comfortable, and cared for is a top priority. Part of that involves ensuring their healthcare wishes are respected, even in situations where they can't communicate or make the decisions themselves. This is where advance directives come into play.
As unpleasant as it may sound, getting familiar with terms like "living wills", "durable power of attorney for health care", and "Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders" is a critical part of creating an advance directive.
Understanding Advance Directives
Advance directives are legal documents that detail the healthcare preferences of an individual for situations when they're unable to express them due to illness or incapacity. These documents help doctors and caregivers make important decisions regarding medical treatments and interventions.
Caregivers and family members need to engage in open and honest conversations about advance directives with their senior loved ones. This will ensure that their wishes are understood, respected, and carried out.
Key Components of Advance Directives
Living wills, durable power of attorney for health care, as well as DNR orders form the core of advance directives. A living will is a document that specifies what types of medical treatment an individual desires, particularly concerning end-of-life care. It can include preferences regarding resuscitation, feeding tubes, and pain management.
Next, a durable power of attorney for health care allows a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on someone's behalf if they become incapable of doing so. The designated person should be someone who understands and respects the individual's values and wishes.
Lastly, a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a request to avoid cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the patient's heart stops or they stop breathing. It's a personal decision and requires a thoughtful conversation with the care receiver and their doctor.
How to Create and Update Advance Directives
Initiating the process of creating these documents may seem stressful, but a step-by-step approach can make it manageable. You might choose to consult a legal professional who can guide you through the process while adhering to state laws. Your loved one can also download and fill out Pennsylvania-specific advance directive forms that explain the process step-by-step.
Remember, these directives should be a result of a careful discussion with your senior loved one, their family members, and potentially their healthcare providers. Updating them is equally important. People's desires for their healthcare often change with time. Regular reviews of these documents, especially after any major health changes, ensure they accurately reflect the individual's current wishes.
Senior Helpers Can Assist You Through Your Caregiving Journey
Advance directives are critical in upholding the healthcare preferences of your elderly loved ones. As a caregiver, your awareness and involvement in this process are invaluable. This might seem challenging, amidst all the other responsibilities you are juggling. But remember, you have resources available.
Senior Helpers Southwest Pittsburgh is here to provide support and services for both seniors and their caretakers in Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Allegheny County, and Washington County. Contact us for more information about our in-home, respite, and companion services. Ensuring your loved one's healthcare wishes are respected is our utmost priority, just as it is yours.