Advance Care Planning
If life becomes short, what is most important to you? A crisis could leave you too sick to make your own healthcare decisions. Advance care planning involves learning about the types of decisions that may need to be made during a medical crisis. It also
involves letting others know your wishes. Planning now gives you a say in how you are cared for if you cannot speak for yourself.
Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST)
POLST are a set of medical orders you want your health care provider to follow when you can no longer speak for yourself. You fill out the POLST with your health care provider to ensure your medical wishes are met. After discussion with your health care
provider, you can state what level of care you want, from full support to do not resuscitate (no CPR). Learn more about POLST.
Advance directive
An advance directive is a list of healthcare decisions you make for yourself while you are in good health. This list can be followed if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. You can also appoint a person to make such decisions on your behalf and state whether you want to receive CPR if your heart stops beating or you stop breathing. Learn more about advance directives.
Make sure your wishes are respected and honored. Talk with your loved ones and health care provider about the end of life care you want when the time comes.
More about older adult health
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