Living Will – A written document that allows a patient to give explicit instructions about medical treatment to be administered when the patient is terminally ill or unconscious. It may also be called an Advance Directive.

Five Wishes a legal directive to name all those that will make Health Care Decisions for you. Specifying, loving care, personal and spiritual care in addition to the medical and legal. It allows your caregiver to know exactly what you want; even your favorite music. Families benefit from Five Wishes as a guide for family conversations needed to prepare in times of serious illness.  Answers questions as specific as “No I do not want IVs” “Yes I do want sips of water”. https://store.fivewishes.org/ShopLocal/en/p/FO-000/five-wishes-digital

Health Care Power of Attorney – Legal authorization for one person to represent another person’s wishes regarding medical treatment and care should that person become unable to do so for themselves. Health care power of attorney names the agent as a representative authorized to make decisions regarding care and procedures as stated by the individual.  Each state has its own HCPOA form and you should update your form to reflect your state of residence.  During travel, most states will honor the HCPOA from your home state.

MOST (Medical Order for Scope of Treatment) – A form for use by physicians and other licensed healthcare facilities to assist in providing information relating to a patient’s desire for resuscitation or life-prolonging measures. These forms are available only to physicians’ offices or other licensed hospital or healthcare facilities

DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) – Do not resuscitate (DNR), or no code, is a legal order written either in the hospital or on a legal form to withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), in respect of the wishes of a patient in case their heart or breathing stops.  This form DOES NOT address any other form of medical care and does not affect any ongoing treatment options.  Each state has its own DNR form and they DO NOT transfer from state to state.   The form must be presented as an original, with no copies, and are printed on specific color paper differing by state.

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