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Advance Directives Outreach Guide

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Advance Directivesand

End-of-Life Decisions(Add your organization’s name and contact information here)

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Purpose• Discuss advance directives and end-

of-life care decisions• Learn the different types of advance

directives• Recognize advantages and

disadvantages of advance directives• Identify resources that can help you

complete your advance directives

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Do you have a written plan stating what health care treatments you would or

would not want if you could not speak for yourself?

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Why Bother?

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Why YOU Need Advance Directives

• Your wishes will be known• Only used if you are unable to

express your decisions • This can happen to anyone – at any

age • Give your loved ones the gift of

peace of mind – write down your wishes!

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Interesting to note…• Most Americans – 88 percent – feel

comfortable discussing issues relating to death and dying*

• Yet only 42% have a living will*

*National Survey on Death, Dying, and Hospice Care in America, VITAS Innovative Healthcare, 2004

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• A written statement of your wishes, preferences and choices regarding end-of-life health care decisions

• A tool to help you think through and communicate your choices

What are Advance Directives?

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Advance Directives • Written instructions about future

medical care • Only used:

– if you are seriously ill or injured AND– Unable to speak for yourself

• Should include:– Living will – Medical (health care) power of attorney

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What is a Living Will?•A legal document with your

wishes about medical treatment

•You choose:–What you do want–What you don’t want

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What is a Medical Power of Attorney?

• A legal form that states who you want to make decisions about medical care

• The person is authorized to speak for you ONLY if you are unable to make your own medical decisions

• May also be called:– "health care proxy or agent" – “health care surrogate” – "durable power of attorney for health care"

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Advance Directives: Advantages

• You are in charge of making your own decisions

• Documents can be changed anytime• You DO NOT need an attorney• Documents can help you express

your wishes• Forms are available for FREE at

www.caringinfo.org

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Advance Directives: Disadvantages

• Advance Directives (AD) may not be available when needed

• Not readily available in patient charts• Living wills:

– may not be specific enough– may be overridden by a treating MD– does not immediately translate into MD

order

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Medical Terms for End-of-Life Care Decision Making

• Life-Sustaining Treatment• Artificial Nutrition and Hydration

(tube feeding)• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)• Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR)• Palliative Care• Hospice

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Resources in Our Community• List your local resources here

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www.caringinfo.org • 800.658.8898

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FREE Resources Available from Caring Connections

• State-specific advance directives• Advance care planning Web resources• Brochures to download or order:

– Advance Directives and End-of-Life Decisions– Health Care Agents: Appointing One & Being

One– Conversations Before the Crisis– You Have Filled Out Your Advance Directive…

Now What?– Ask Tough Questions

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It’s About How You LIVE!

Learn about your options, choices and decisions

Implement your advance directive plans

Voice your decisionsEngage others to complete their

advance directives