Advance Directives
Advance Directives are decisions you make, in advance, regarding your care in the event you are incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself.
Patient Rights
All patients have rights that describe what you can expect from your medical care providers.
Informed Consent
This document is a detailed explanation of the care and services provided to you. It also may include an explanation of patient and family rights and responsibilities. You are encouraged to ask questions about this document before you sign it.
Living Will
Living Wills are prepared by those who do not want to have their lives prolonged artificially through the use of life support systems. The Living Will comes into effect ONLY when you are unable to make decisions regarding your care for yourself.
Health Care Surrogate
A Health Care Surrogate is someone who is designated to act in your behalf in health care matters, ONLY if you are unable to make health care decisions for yourself. The Health Care Surrogate should understand and agree with the terms of your Living Will and should be able to make decisions according to your wishes.
Do Not Resuscitate
This document is an order signed by the physician and the patient or patient representative, which instructs Emergency Medical Teams not to attempt resuscitation on a patient whose heart has stopped beating. This document is effective only if the patient has a living will.
Legal Will
This is a legal document, drawn up by an attorney, which gives instructions for disposal of worldly goods after death.
Durable Power of Attorney
This legal document designates others to make decisions, usually financial, on your behalf. This document may take effect upon signing or at a future date only in the event you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
If you would like more information about Advance Directives, call Wuesthoff Hospice & Palliative Care at (321) 253-2222.
RESOURCE LINKS FOR ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
Aging With Dignity."Five Wishes" advance directives program and information for ordering the "Five Wishes" document.
American Bar Association. Commission on Law and Aging."Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning."
American Medical Association.Advance Directives.
Center for Practical Bioethics.Advance Directive Program provides guidance on defining end- of-life choices.
Family Care Giver Alliance.National Center on Caregiving. Fact Sheet: End-of-Life Choices: Holding on and Letting Go.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Caring Connections. "Advance Care Planning."
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