Journey Care & Legacy
PALLIATIVE & COMFORT CARE GROUP- Week 2By: Frederika
Granger, LCSW-C&Sinoreh Daryadell
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DEFINING DEATH
Many among us now are crazy for meanings, and crazed by seeking
them out. The meanings of life arent inherited. What is inherited
is the mandate to make meanings of life by how we live. The endings
of life give lifes meanings a chance to show. The beginning of the
end of our order, our way, is now in view. This isnt punishment,
any more than dying is a punishment for being born. Instead, the
world whispers: All we need of you is that you be human, now. Our
work is to sort out what being human should be in such a time.
Short film, shot & directed by Ian Mackenzie.
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Palliative Care?Palliative care treats people suffering from
serious and chronic illnessessuch ascancer, cardiac disease such as
congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), kidney failure, Alzheimers,Parkinsons, Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and many more.Palliative carefocuseson
symptomssuch aspain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation,
nausea, loss of appetite,difficulty sleeping and depression. It
also helps you gain the strength to carry on with daily life. It
improves your ability to tolerate medical treatments. And it helps
you have more control over your care by improving your
understanding of your choices fortreatment.
Retrieved from:https://getpalliativecare.org/whatis/
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Hospice Care?Considered to be the model for quality,
compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or
injury, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert
medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support
expressly tailored to the patients needs and wishs. Support is
provided to the patients loved ones as well. At the center of
hospice and palliative care is the belief that each of us has the
right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will
receive the necessary support to allow us to do so.
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Hospice Care & When to AskNow is the best time to learn more
about hospice care and ask questions about what to expect. Although
end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it is best for loved
ones and family members to share their wishes long before it
becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress when the time for
hospice becomes apparent. By having these discussions in advance,
uncomfortable situations can be avoided. Instead, educated
decisions can be made that include the advice and input of loved
ones.
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Hospice Care: When to beginAnyone can inquire about hospice
services. You or your loved one may call a local hospice and
request services. The hospice staff will then contact your
physician to determine if a referral to hospice is appropriate.
Another way to inquire about hospice is to talk with your
physician, and he or she can make a referral to hospice.
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Hospice can begin as soon as a referral is made by the persons
doctor. The hospice staff will then contact the person referred to
set up an initial meeting to review the services the hospice will
offer and sign the necessary consent forms for care to begin.
Usually, care is ready to begin within a day or two of a referral.
However, in urgent situations, service may begin sooner.
A Group Thought ExerciseDescribe the last three days of your
life as you would like them to be. Include whatever aspects of the
situation seem to be of greatest importance.
What will be your greatest sources of strength and support
during these last days of your life?
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The Care Planning Act of 2015Care Planning Act: Hospice Action
Network Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V51HpkyD8Uc
What are Advance Directives?A living will allows you to document
your wishes concerning medical treatments at the end of life.
Before your living will can guide medical decision-making two
physicians must certify:You are unable to make medical decisionsYou
are in the medical condition specified in the state's living will
law (such as "terminal illness" or "permanent
unconsciousness"),Other requirements also may apply, depending upon
the state.
Retrievedfrom NHPCO
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A medical power of attorney (or healthcare proxy) allows you to
appoint a person you trust as your healthcare agent (or surrogate
decision maker), who is authorized to make medical decisions on
your behalf. Before a medical power of attorney goes into effect a
persons physician must conclude that they are unable to make their
own medical decisions. In addition:If a person regains the ability
to make decisions, the agent cannot continue to act on the person's
behalf.Many states have additional requirements that apply only to
decisions about life-sustaining medical treatments.For example,
before your agent can refuse a life-sustaining treatment on your
behalf, a second physician may have to confirm your doctor's
assessment that you are incapable of making treatment
decisions.
Your Healthcare Agent/sSelecta Person (and a Backup) To Be Your
Healthcare Agent. This should be someone who:Knows you wellIs calm
in a crisisUnderstands how you would make the decision if you were
ableIs not afraid to ask questions and advocate to doctorsCan
reassure and communicate with your familyA healthcare agent
(surrogate or proxy) is someone you designate to make medical
decisions for you if, at some future time, you are unable to make
decisions yourself. Your agent can be a close relative or friend,
but should be someone who knows you well and someone you trust. In
most states, your agent can make decisions any time you lose the
ability to make a medical decision, not just decisions about the
end of life.
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Addressing Your WishesExplain what you are asking of them and
talk about why you picked them. Your healthcare agent needs to know
about the quality of life that is important to you and when and
what medical treatments you would want.Talking to your agent means
discussing values and quality-of-life issues as well as treatments
and medical situations. Because situations could occur that you
might not anticipate, your agent may need to base a decision on
what he or she knows about your values and your views of what makes
life worth living. These are not simple questions, and your views
may change. For this reason, you need to talk to your agent in
depth and over time.
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Preparing Your Advance DirectivesBefore you prepare your advance
directives:Get information on the types of life-sustaining
treatments that are available.Decide what types of treatment you
would want or would not want.Share your end-of-life wishes and
preferences with your loved ones.Preparing your own advance
directives:You do not need a lawyer to prepare advance
directives.Make sure you prepare your advance directive to
accurately reflect your decisions.Complete your state-specific
advance directives.
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In most states, you can include special requests in your advance
directives such as wishes about organ donation, cremation or
burial.You also should be sure to make your physician and loved
onesaware of your specific requests so appropriate referrals and
arrangements can be made.Ask someone else to look over the
documents for you to be sure that you have filled them out
correctly.Read all of the instructions carefully to ensure that you
have included all of the necessary information and that your
documents are witnessed properly.Once you have completed your
advance directive you need to talk to anyone who might be involved
in your healthcare decision making. This includes family members,
loved ones and your healthcare providers. You want them to
understand how you feel about medical treatment at the end of
life.
Storing Your Advance DirectivesThey must be portable; they can
be available wherever you are in the world.They must be available
in a timely manner.They must be in a safe place, protected from
theft, fire, flood or other natural disasters SUGGESTIONS:Make
several photocopies of the completed documents.Keep the original
documents in a safe but easily accessible place, and tell others
where you put them; you can note on the photocopies the location
where the originals are kept.
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DO NOT KEEP YOUR ADVANCE DIRECTIVES IN A SAFE DEPOSIT BOX. Other
people may need access to them.Give photocopies to your agent and
alternate agent.Be sure your doctors have copies of your advance
directives and give copies to everyone who might be involved with
your healthcare, such as your family, clergy, or friends. Your
local hospital might also be willing to file your advance
directives in case you are admitted in the future.There are
services available that will store copies of your documents and can
make them available on your behalf.This is a particularly effective
way to store your documents to protect against theft, fire, flood
or other natural disasters as well as for people who travel.
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Poem- Henry Scott Holland
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National Hospice & Palliative Care Org.
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Hospice Care Team
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Health Conditions with Hospice Patients
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What Really Matters at the End of LifeBJ MILLER
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Quote: Mark Twain
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Facts to Keep In MindSharing your wishes for end-of-life care
can bring you closer to the people you love! Consider these
facts:.90% of people say that talking with their loved ones about
end-of-life care is important.82% of people say its important to
put their wishes in writing.80% of people say that if seriously
ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about wishes for
medical treatment toward the end of their life.60% of people say
that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is
extremely important.56% have not communicated their end-of-life
wishes.23% have actually done it.7% report having had this
conversation with their doctor.
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Have you spoken to your loved ones regarding your End-of-Life
Care?
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