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Advance Care Plans
Understand Your Options What Are Advance Care Plans? Advance care plans are official documents that explain the healthcare treatments you want or don’t want if you become unable to make or communicate your own decisions. What to Do With Advance Care Plans Discuss your wishes with your family and medical providers and give them copies of your documents. Keep the documents where you and others can easily find them. Review your advance care plans once a year to be sure your wishes have not changed. Each state has different rules for advance care plans. If you spend a lot of time in another state, you may want to fill out that state’s documents as well.
Organ Donation You can register to donate your organs or tissues at organdonor.gov/sign-up by submitting your state’s form online or downloading and mailing it in. You can also register in person at your local motor vehicle department. If you don’t register your wishes or no one knows you’ve registered, your family will make this decision. Unsure about being an organ donor? Keep in mind: Your care will not change. Lifesaving treatment will be given unless you have advance care plans saying not to. Most major religions in the U.S. support organ donation. It’s free to donors and their families. There is no upper age limit.
Types of Advance Care Plans
Advance Directives
Medical Orders
Orders in your medical record, including: DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment—some states use other names for these, such as MOLST or POST) State what specific care you want or do not want in a medical emergency. These can include CPR, a ventilator, breathing tube, feeding tube, comfort care, or antibiotics. (Note: Living wills are not legally binding in Massachusetts or Michigan.)
What are they?
Legal documents, including: Living will Durable power of attorney for healthcare
What do they do?
Living will: Tells what life-sustaining treatment you want or do not want, like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a ventilator, or feeding tubes. Durable power of attorney: Names the person you want to make decisions for you when you cannot speak for yourself.
Who should have these care plans?
All adults.
Those who are very sick or nearing the end of life.
Can they be used when 911 or an ambulance is called?
No. Emergency care providers must do everything they can to save your life unless there is a medical order stating otherwise. Advance directives can only be used once you are in the hospital. Maybe, depending on the laws in your state. Ask your nurse, social worker, or admissions department for forms and more information.
Yes. Be sure these documents are complete and easy to find, like on your refrigerator or by the door.
Can I create them while I’m in the hospital?
Yes. Your doctor can complete these documents for you.
Learn More For more information, scan the QR code or visit nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning-advance-directives-health-care .
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