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Making End of Life Decisions
Making End-of-Life Decisions
What every family should know
End-of-Life decisions pull families apart if the patient’s wishes haven’t been made clear beforehand. Americans seem to avoid planning for death.
The Family Caregiver Alliance offers these suggestions, whether you are caring for someone who is incapacitated or making decisions for yourself:
• Whom do you want to make decisions for you if you are not able to make your own, both on financial matters and health-care issues? The same person may not be right for both.
• What medical treatments and care are acceptable to you? Are there some you fear?
• Do you wish to be resuscitated if you stop breathing or your heart stops?
• Do you want to be hospitalized or stay at home if you are seriously or terminally ill? Know your preferences about hospice.
• Do you have adequate insurance?
• What actually happens when you die? Will your loved ones be prepared to make decisions they have to make?
• Know about advanced directives.
(see End of Life Choices section on this web page, www.caregiver.org)
