KFOR-TV: How to Make Sure Your End-of-Life Wishes Are Followed
A living will is an important first step, but it may not guarantee your wishes are carried out. Learn how a POLST form and other simple measures can provide added protection.
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You’ve signed an advance directive and told your family what kind of medical care you want. So you should be all set, right?
Not necessarily.
An advance directive is an important first step, but it doesn’t guarantee your wishes will be known during a medical emergency. The document may be unavailable, or its instructions may be too general to guide doctors when quick decisions are needed. Here’s what you can do to help ensure your wishes are followed.
Talk About Your Wishes
An Advance Directive for Health Care lets you state your wishes about life-sustaining treatment and name someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you can’t.
But don’t just fill out the form and put it away. Talk with your health care proxy, family and doctor about the care you would – and wouldn’t – want. Discuss issues such as CPR, breathing machines and hospitalization so your loved ones aren’t left guessing.
Consider a POLST
If you have a serious or advanced illness or are medically frail, ask your doctor whether a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is appropriate.
A POLST doesn’t replace an advance directive. Instead, it turns your treatment preferences into specific medical orders signed by a health care professional. It can address CPR, hospitalization, breathing machines and other life-sustaining treatments and is designed to accompany you across health care settings.
Make It Accessible
Give copies of your advance directive and POLST, if you have one, to your health care proxy, family members and doctors. Ask your providers to add them to your electronic medical record, and keep a copy somewhere your family can easily find it.
Review your documents every few years and whenever your health or treatment preferences change. If you move to another state, have them reviewed because laws vary.
Resources
The Oklahoma State Department of Health provides the state’s advance directive form on their website, and for an Oklahoma POLST form, see the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners website. The Conversation Project also offers free tools to help families discuss end-of-life wishes.
The goal isn’t simply to fill out forms. It’s to make sure the people caring for you understand what matters most – and have the information they need to honor your wishes when you can’t speak for yourself.