Always carry around a list of your medications with you just in case of an emergency.
Everyone should have the following documents in place:
You may ask what the difference is between a POLST and an AD? An AD is a document that contains the expressed desire of patients, but it does not have the same authority as a POLST since it is not signed by a physician. The POLST is a physician's order that helathcare workers must follow. It is recommended that patients have both documents.
One never knows what's around the corner. We should always be prepared at any adult age.
60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is “extremely important”
56% have not communicated their end-of-life wishes
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
70% of people say they prefer to die at home
70% die in a hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility
Source: Centers for Disease Control (2005)
80% of people say that if seriously ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care
7% report having had an end-of-life conversation with their doctor
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
82% of people say it’s important to put their wishes in writing
23% have actually done it
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
One conversation can make all the difference.
Remember:
Everyone should have the following documents in place:
- Living Trust
- Health Care Proxy (HCP)
- Advance Directive (AD)
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
You may ask what the difference is between a POLST and an AD? An AD is a document that contains the expressed desire of patients, but it does not have the same authority as a POLST since it is not signed by a physician. The POLST is a physician's order that helathcare workers must follow. It is recommended that patients have both documents.
One never knows what's around the corner. We should always be prepared at any adult age.
60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is “extremely important”
56% have not communicated their end-of-life wishes
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
70% of people say they prefer to die at home
70% die in a hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility
Source: Centers for Disease Control (2005)
80% of people say that if seriously ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care
7% report having had an end-of-life conversation with their doctor
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
82% of people say it’s important to put their wishes in writing
23% have actually done it
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)
One conversation can make all the difference.
Remember:
- You don’t need to talk about it just yet. Just think about it.
- You can start out by writing a letter—to yourself, your family, or a friend.
- Having a practice conversation with a friend could help.
- These conversations may reveal that you and your loved ones disagree. That’s okay. It’s important to simply know this, and to continue talking about it now—not during a medical crisis.
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