Advance Directives
Palliative Care
Resources and Planning Ahead
When you have a long-term illness like COPD , you may focus your energy on your daily treatments and self-care . It is also good to take some time to plan ahead . There are things you can do and learn about now to help you in the future .
Advance Directives
Advance directives are forms that you complete to give instructions about your healthcare . They are for times when you cannot speak for yourself . The forms ensure that your healthcare choices are respected . They may also give your family peace of mind because your choices are known .
Advance directives are mainly for making healthcare decisions . Within the 2015 version of the Ohio Advanced Directive ( HCPOA ), you are able to nominate a guardian over person and estate . You can also record your choice on organ , eye , and tissue donation .
Living Will
A living will allows you to give specific instructions about the healthcare treatments you want or do not want . It lets your healthcare provider know if you want comfort measures provided to you only if you have no chance of recovery or if you are permanently unconscious .
Health Care Power of Attorney
This form allows you to choose who will make decisions about your healthcare if your healthcare provider determines that you are not able to make decisions for yourself . The person you choose may also make some healthcare decisions for you even when you are unconscious or confused for a short time .
This form also allows , although it is not required , for you to nominate a guardian over your person or estate should you become unable to make medical or estate-related decisions . This nomination must be approved by the Probate Courts of Ohio .
When completing these forms , it is important to talk with your family or support persons about your wishes for future healthcare . There are many choices to make besides those you complete for the forms .
Palliative Care
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses like COPD . Palliative care is provided by a team of healthcare providers and nurses who focus on relieving the symptoms , pain , and stress of your illness . The team offers help in discussing the goals of care and making decisions about treatment with you and your family .
Palliative care is often confused with hospice care , which begins when an illness has advanced to the end stages of life . Unlike hospice , palliative care can be provided with or without curative treatment for patients at any stage of a serious illness . Mount Carmel offers palliative care in the home and the hospital . The goal is to improve quality of life for you and your family .
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