Learn about advance directives
Advance directives are legal papers that let your loved one decide on important issues about their treatment and care. They can: l S how your loved one’s decisions, such as how much treatment they want, and who should make decisions if they can no longer make decisions.
l H elp make sure your loved one gets the treatment they want. l M ake it a lot easier for you, as the caregiver, to make treatment decisions if you understand your loved ones’ wishes. l Include your loved one’s end-of-life healthcare decisions. Advance directives can include these papers: l Living will: A document that shows what kind of healthcare a person wants if they can’t speak for themselves. l Durable medical power of attorney: A document that names another person to make health decisions for a person if they can no longer make their own decisions. This person, chosen by the patient, is called a “healthcare proxy.”
Studies have shown that people who talked about their end-of-life choices (such as advanced directives) were more likely to feel in control of their situation and suffer less. Talk to your loved one’s care team or social worker about getting them set up with advance directives.
Melanoma Patient and Caregiver Guide | Stages 2–3 52
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