End of life care
"End of life care" refers to the support and care you need to have the best quality of life toward the end of life. It includes conversations with family and health care providers to prepare for the type of care you want.
Advance directives
Advance directives are any type of legal document that addresses your wishes about your future medical care. It is important to consider putting advance directives in place before you transition to the end of life. These may include a:
- Health care directive (living will).
- Durable power of attorney for health care.
- Written personal statement about your health care goals and values.
Learn more about advance directives.
How do I ensure my wishes are respected in an emergency?
Consider filling out a Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment form (POLST). A POLST form is a legal document that tells medical providers what kind of care you would or would not like in a medical emergency.
(Adapted from The Bree Collaborative.)