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Planning Ahead for the Final Stages in Life. Presented by Julie Stanton, BCH. What is an Advance Directive?. A two part legal document Healthcare Decisions - a person’s wishes for end of life medical treatment.
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Planning Ahead for the Final Stages in Life Presented by Julie Stanton, BCH
What is an Advance Directive? • A two part legal document • Healthcare Decisions- a person’s wishes for end of life medical treatment. • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care- designates a person (agent/proxy) to make health care decisions when a person is unable to. • Recommend for adults 18 years and older.
Durable POA for Healthcare • Choose a person with “strength of character”. • Can not be a person hired to provide healthcare services for you. • Must be 18 years or older. (check your state’s requirements) • Recommended to choose a person who will not gain financially from your death.
Barriers • “Against my beliefs-values.” • “I’m too young.” • Cultural beliefs or customs. • “Already have one.”
How To Communicate • Step 1: Introduce the conversation “This is important to me.” • Step 2: Explore personal beliefs and values * Write done what is important to discuss • Step 3: Discuss with medical provider & family * Discussion with medical provider & family • Step 4: Document wishes *Fill out an Advance Directive or Five Wishes document
Step 1: Introduce the Conversation • Timing is everything! * Not in a crisis • Private, comfortable place (Intimate conversation- have “reinforcements” ) • Explainthe importance of discussing your end-of-life wishes
Step 2: Explore Personal Beliefs & Values • Quality of life or quantity? • (treated with dignity) • What gives you strength? • (Spirituality & Loved ones) • Discuss with Family & Friends • (reduce anxiety, guilt, grief, & bereavement)
Step 3: Define End-of-Life Wishes • Choices & Decisions • Where do you want to spend your last days Nursing care facility, home care, assisted living • What kind of medical care do you want? Hospice • What will be your final arrangements? Funeral arrangements Trust and/or Will
About your Advance directive • Recommend a notarized signature • Integrity of the document-(not required in New Mexico) • Always keep your Advance Directive up to date! (Review on your birthday) • You Can revoke or change any part(s) of your advance directive. • Give a copy to your Agent, Healthcare Providers, and family. (Never lock it away!)
Final Arrangements • Healthcare POA or Durable POA scope of decision making. • Terminates at death • Organ donation vs. Body donation • Funerals are for the living • “don’t want to be a burden or bother…”
Comfort Care-Hospice Services • Provides support and care for those in the last phases of life-limiting illness • Recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living • Affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death • Focus on quality of life for individuals and their family caregivers
Hospice Care Team • Patient’s Personal Provider • Hospice Physician • Nurses (CHPN) • Licensed Social Workers • Certified Nursing Assistants • Spiritual Counselors/Chaplains • Volunteers • Other Integrated Healthcare Therapists
What does the Care Team do? • Develops the plan of care • Family • Facility Staff • Care Giving Agencies • Manages pain and symptoms • Attends to the emotional, psychosocial and spiritual aspects of dying and care giving • Teaches the family how to provide care • Advocates for the patient and family • Provides bereavement care and counseling
Supportive Services & Levels of Care • Medications – associated with their hospice diagnosis • DME and Supplies • Routine Care • Respite Care • Acute Care Inpatient Services
Hospice Admission Criteria • General • Life-limiting illness, prognosis 6 months or less if disease takes normal course • Live in service area • Consent to accept services • Patient no longer seeking curative treatment, only comfort care
How is hospice care paid for? • Medicare (entitlement program) • Medicaid • Private Insurance • VA Benefits • Charity resources • Self pay
Resources Private Insurance, Medicare, & Medicaid Mesilla Valley Hospice 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, NM 88005 575-523-4700 www.mvhospice.org Contact: Julie Stanton: jstanton@mvhospice.org Caring Connections (NHPCO) • 800-658-8898 www.caringinfo.org