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Advance Directives
The importance of advance directives for all adults cannot be understated. Advance directives, simply put, are healthcare decisions you make today that are put into action when you are unable to speak for yourself or in an end-of-life situation. A living will, designating a healthcare agent and documenting any other wishes you would like to have carried out regarding your medical care if you are unable to communicate are all vital advance directives.
The experts at Cedar Valley Hospice can help you complete your advance directives. Click on the button below to schedule an advance directive consultation with a member of our team.
Expressing
Your Wishes
Since life-changing events can happen at any time, adults 18 years old or older should have advance directives properly written, recorded and distributed to the appropriate people and places. There have been well-known cases where individuals have had no advance directives in place, which resulted in family feuding and care inconsistent to their wishes. Cedar Valley Hospice encourages all patients to complete advance medical directives, but it is not required to enroll in our services. Contact our team at Cedar Valley Hospice if you would like assistance completing the following documents.
Types of Advance Directives
Living Will
Durable Power
of Attorney
for Health Care
IPOST
(Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment)
DNR
(Do Not Resuscitate
Order)
Living Will
Having a living will in place communicates what life-sustaining measures you would accept at end of life to healthcare providers and your loved ones. A living will also:
- Becomes effective only if the patient is considered terminal and unable to communicate their wishes.
- Puts the patient’s wishes concerning life-sustaining procedures in writing.
- Can be completed by any persons 18 years old or older.
- Must be signed by a notary public or two witnesses. Select Cedar Valley Hospice staff members are notaries.
Durable Power of Attorney for
Health Care
A healthcare agent, or surrogate decision maker, is someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. They are appointed by completing a durable power of attorney for health care (healthcare proxy). This form:
- Designates someone to make all health care decisions in the event the patient’s physician determines that the patient is unable to make decisions.
- Includes the decision to remove nutrition and hydration when provided by feeding tubes or intravenous feeding.
- May be completed by any persons 18 years old or older.
- Is different than a Durable Power of Attorney, which designates someone to manage a person’s financial matters.
IPOST (Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of
Treatment)
The IPOST form is a medical order initiated by the patient and family and signed by a physician. It allows the patient to communicate key, life-sustaining treatment preferences. Benefits of the IPOST include:
- Provides a clear declaration of the individual’s healthcare treatment choices and assures that these choices are fulfilled.
- Relieves the decision maker of making complicated health care decisions during the last stages of an illness.
- Allows for seamless communication and execution of an individual’s care choices across healthcare treatment settings.
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate Order)
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order is a directive initiated by the patient and family that instructs all medical staff not to initiate any emergency life-saving procedures, including CPR. The completion of a DNR Order is not required to receive services; however, benefits of this order include:
- Provides a written directive of the patient and family’s wishes.
- Takes the burden off of those making crucial end-of-life decision in the event of a crisis situation.
By putting advance directives in place, you are benefitting your family and yourself. You are directing your own health care, as well as preventing your family from being in the difficult position of making tough choices during an emotional time.
Resources
The following are resources to help you and your family get started in establishing your advance directives:
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- Aging with Dignity
- Caring Info
- The Conversation Project
Cedar Valley Hospice provides no-cost advance directive consultations, where you’ll meet with a social worker to start the conversation about your wishes at end of life. Several Cedar Valley Hospice team members are notaries and can complete forms requiring a notary’s signature.
Your Living Will
Having a living will in place allows your loved ones to know what life-sustaining measures you would accept at end of life if you are not able to communicate these wishes yourself. In order for a living will to be the guide for medical decision making, the patient:
- Must have a medical condition stated in their living will, such as “terminal illness” or “permanent unconsciousness”
- Is unable to communicate his/her own wishes regarding care
- Is at least 18 years of age
Each state may have additional requirements that need to be met.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
A healthcare agent, or surrogate decision maker, is someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. They are appointed by completing a durable power of attorney for health care (healthcare proxy).
In order for a durable power of attorney for health care to take effect, two physicians must come to the conclusion that you are unable to understand or are unable to communicate decisions regarding your medical care.
Additional items regarding healthcare proxies include:
- If you regain your decision-making ability, your designated healthcare agent will not be able to continue to act on your behalf.
- There may be certain requirements in your state pertaining to decisions about life-sustaining medical treatments. For example, before your healthcare agent can refuse a life-sustaining medical treatment on your behalf, a second doctor may have to confirm your doctor’s conclusion that you are unable to make your own medical decisions.
Have a Referral?
Anyone can refer a friend or family member to Cedar Valley Hospice. Simply complete and submit the form below to get started. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 800.626.2360.
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