Three Things to Know about End-of-Life Wishes

Three Things to Know about End-of-Life Wishes

By definition, hospice care is designed for patients who have been diagnosed by a doctor to have six months or less to live.

In situations such as these, it’s important for the patient and his or her loved ones to communicate with the hospice provider any end-of-wishes.

Since these decisions can be difficult, here are five things you’ll want to keep in mind to help the discussion go as smoothly as possible.

What You Need to Know About End-of-Life Wishes

End-of-life wishes are official documents designed to ensure that the patient’s desires for the final stages of their life are properly fulfilled.

Before assembling these documents, here are three things you should keep in mind.

The Types of Documents

One of the most common documents for end-of-life wishes is the Power of Attorney, which gives a surrogate the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the patient in the case that the patient is no longer able to do so on their own.

Another common document is the living will. The living will details the patient’s wishes, should the patient enter a coma or otherwise vegetive state. Such wishes may involve being resuscitated, receiving dialysis, or organ donation. 

Know your State’s Requirements

Each state has its own regulations in regard to end-of-life documents. Before beginning work on your documents, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements.

Such requirements may involve using forms provided by your state, getting documents signed, getting documents notarized, and having witnesses present.

Patients who reside in multiple states may need to have forms filled out for each, though some states may recognize forms filled out for a different state.

Where Do You Find the Right Documents?

For many, the documents will be made available by the state in which the patient lives. Often, hospice care providers can provide patients with the necessary forms.

Certain documents may need to be obtained by specific means. Organ donation, for example, can be signed for at a DMV or online. Other documents may require the patient’s doctor to draft them.

Know the Ins and Outs of End-of-Life Wishes

End-of-life wishes may require a lot of paperwork, but there’s no need to be stressed about them. Many of them are provided by the state or the patient’s doctor and are fairly straightforward.

For those who want to make sure that everything is worded just right, hiring an attorney can ensure the documents aren’t misinterpreted in the future.

While end-of-wishes may not come under the best circumstances, getting them done will end up benefitting the patient in the future and ensuring they receive the type of care they want.

Are you considering hospice care for your loved one? Reach out to Divinity Hospice online or by phone (281-339-7079). We’ll give your loved one the respect, attention, and personalized care they deserve.