Advance Care Planning
End-of-life care issues present a difficult topic and a difficult conversation to have with those one loves. No one wants to face the end of life, let alone make decisions about health care, acknowledge feelings about being on life support, or discuss funeral plans. It's about more than just making a will.
The Caldwell Partnership for End-of-Life Care was formed to help people in this community learn the importance of having these conversations with loved ones, while they are still healthy and before a crisis occurs, with loved ones left to make the difficult decisions alone.
The Partnership encourages people to complete advance directives (living will and health care power of attorney). The living will is a legal document that allows people to express wishes about life-sustaining treatments, should they become incapacitated. The health care power of attorney allows individuals to appoint a trusted person to make their health care decisions, if they cannot make the decisions for themselves. Caldwell Hospice provides the forms and will notarize them at no cost.
Health Care Power of Attorney
There is a better chance that individuals’ wishes will be carried out if they discuss them in advance with their physician and their family. It is also a good idea to name someone (the "health care agent") to make health care decisions if they become unable to do so for themselves. A Health Care Power of Attorney allows individuals to name this person. The agent can be any adult they choose (except their health care provider).
A Health Care Power of Attorney takes effect, and the agent begins making health care decisions for individuals, if their doctor determines that they are unable to make or communicate decisions for themselves.
The agent has the same authority as the individual would have to hire and fire health care providers; admit or discharge the individual from a health care institution; consent to or refuse tests or treatments, and more.
The Health Care Power of Attorney requires the signatures of two witnesses who are unrelated to the individual. It must also be notarized by a notary public.
NC Healthcare Power of Attorney
(Information provided by The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care)
Living Will
A living will allows people to express their wishes about life-sustaining treatment should they become terminally or irreversibly ill. When making a living will, people can state that they do not want their lives to be prolonged by extraordinary means if they have a terminal, incurable condition or are in a persistent vegetative state.
A living will is simple to fill out and, in most states, only requires the signature of two witnesses (who are not related to the person) and a notary public. A living will becomes effective when the person can no longer direct his or her own health care and is not expected to recover.
NC Living Will
(Information provided by The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care)
