Caregiving Support: Misconceptions about the Living Will

There are many important, and sometimes difficult decisions that we must make as we age. Many people see an attorney when they first marry or have children to make sure they have legal documents in place in case of any unforeseen life events. A Living Will is sometimes completed at this time, and then subsequently stored with other important documents and forgotten about. Years later circumstances change and sometimes wishes change, but the document is never updated. Healthcare decisions one might choose when they are 30 or 45 and healthy are not necessarily what they would choose if they were 70 or 80, or if they were any age but facing a life limiting condition. It is advisable to update a Living Will and discuss your wishes with your Health Care Proxy and other family members. You do not need a lawyer to fill out Living Will and Health Care Proxy Forms. These documents can be downloaded on your computer and, once completed, signed by two witnesses.

In addition, many people mistakenly believe that a Living Will is all they need to ensure that their health care wishes are carried out, and this is absolutely NOT true. EMS personnel do not honor wishes stipulated in the Living Will. This document is seen as a suggestion manual on how to proceed if you are ever unable to make decisions for yourself. If you do not want heroic measures such as CPR, you must discuss this with your doctor and the two of you can fill out a different type of document, a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) or a Practitioner Orders For Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, which both you and the doctor will sign. Only this form will be honored by EMS, as it becomes a doctor’s order once signed by the physician.

There are a variety of factors that are considered when the doctor is approached with a request to put a Do Not Resuscitate order in place, these include the patient’s age and health status. A DNR might be appropriate if the patient had a terminal condition or a chronic debilitating disorder, or perhaps due to frailty, any attempt at life-sustaining treatment is likely to be ineffective or futile.

If you or your loved one have been diagnosed with a progressive cognitive disorder, it is essential to discuss health care wishes with loved ones and update health care documents with your doctor so that you receive the care that you want, and none that you don’t. There is no right or wrong decision, only what is right for you. If you would like more information, or just want to discuss things with a Social Worker, please contact NeuroCog Solutions, as our knowledgeable and compassionate staff are available to meet in person or via telehealth sessions.

To learn more about DNR orders, you can also click here: NJ DNR ORDERS: GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES