A Patient Rights Module: Understanding & Supporting Advance Directives

Advance Directives help people have control over their health care decisions when they can no longer speak for themselves.

The two main types of advance directives are:

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) is a national law that requires that advance directives be discussed with every client who is admitted to your facility/agent.

A person who serves as a Health Care Power of Attorney can make decisions about someone else's finances.

People with Alzheimer's Disease can complete advance directives if they still have the decision-making capacity to express their wishes for end-of-life care.

In addition to living will, it is helpful to attach another document that explains specific wishes in more detail.

A living will is not legal unless it was written by a lawyer.

People who have advance directives will automatically have a "DNR" order if they enter the hospital.

"Comfort care" is the term for measures that help dying clients be more comfortable and without pain.

How can you best help your clients when they talk about end-of-life decisions?

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