In our last post we gave recommendations about treatment choices that are helpful to add to an advanced health care directive. But working with families in the middle of health care emergencies we know that those are not the only choices agents get asked to make. So when working with clients on their advanced health care directives I encourage them to give guidance as well such as:
o I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, even if that means that I will be drowsy or sleep more than I would otherwise.
o I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, but I want my pain medication reduced frequently to allow me moments of lucidity.
o I want my Health Care Agent to explore alternative medicine treatments.
o I want to be kept fresh and clean at all times.
o I want to have personal care like shaving, nail clipping, hair brushing, and teeth brushing as long as they do not cause me pain or discomfort.
o I want to have people with me when possible. The visitors that would be most meaningful to me are: ___________________________________________________________________________________
o I want to have my hand held and to be talked to when possible, even if I don’t seem to respond to the voice or touch of others.
o I also want to have religious readings and well-loved poems read aloud when I am near death, such as: __________________________________________________________________________________
o If I am alone and awake I would like to have music or books on tape playing, such as: __________________________________________________________________________________
o I want to have pictures of my loved ones in my room.
o I want to have flowers or live plants in my room.
o I want to have a hospice care and other palliative care provided as soon as appropriate..
o I want to be treated at home if possible.
o I want to have the members of my faith community told that I am sick and asked to pray for me and visit me.
o I want to have others by my side praying for me when possible.
o I do not want to have politicians or clergy involved in my health care choices
o I do not was clergy visiting me.
We have had clients select a host of mixtures of these instructions. Often selecting them can feel strange, especially if the client is currently healthy. It can feel controlling or demanding. But the reality is that we have never had an agent tell us they had too much information about what they do. What makes the job hard and encourages conflict is the agent and others involved not knowing what the right thing to do is for that specific patient.
If you would like help drafting an Advanced Health Care Directive that is right for you, contact us for a free 1/2 hour consultation at (206) 459-1908 or [email protected]
o I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, even if that means that I will be drowsy or sleep more than I would otherwise.
o I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, but I want my pain medication reduced frequently to allow me moments of lucidity.
o I want my Health Care Agent to explore alternative medicine treatments.
o I want to be kept fresh and clean at all times.
o I want to have personal care like shaving, nail clipping, hair brushing, and teeth brushing as long as they do not cause me pain or discomfort.
o I want to have people with me when possible. The visitors that would be most meaningful to me are: ___________________________________________________________________________________
o I want to have my hand held and to be talked to when possible, even if I don’t seem to respond to the voice or touch of others.
o I also want to have religious readings and well-loved poems read aloud when I am near death, such as: __________________________________________________________________________________
o If I am alone and awake I would like to have music or books on tape playing, such as: __________________________________________________________________________________
o I want to have pictures of my loved ones in my room.
o I want to have flowers or live plants in my room.
o I want to have a hospice care and other palliative care provided as soon as appropriate..
o I want to be treated at home if possible.
o I want to have the members of my faith community told that I am sick and asked to pray for me and visit me.
o I want to have others by my side praying for me when possible.
o I do not want to have politicians or clergy involved in my health care choices
o I do not was clergy visiting me.
We have had clients select a host of mixtures of these instructions. Often selecting them can feel strange, especially if the client is currently healthy. It can feel controlling or demanding. But the reality is that we have never had an agent tell us they had too much information about what they do. What makes the job hard and encourages conflict is the agent and others involved not knowing what the right thing to do is for that specific patient.
If you would like help drafting an Advanced Health Care Directive that is right for you, contact us for a free 1/2 hour consultation at (206) 459-1908 or [email protected]
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