Advance Directives
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to plan and explain your wishes about your care and medical treatment. Advance directives are used when you have lost the ability to make informed medical decisions on your own and at the end-of-life. It is important to remember that the goal of any advance directive is for a patient to express their wishes before they become unable to do so. The patient controls his/her own medical care decisions. For more information about Advance Directives, including living wills, health care power of attorney forms, and Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) protocols, please click on the Advance Directives Packet link. Click here to download our Advance Directives Packet.
Living Will
A living will documents your wishes and directions about use of artificial life-sustaining support in the event you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. This document is used in situations where you are unable to tell your physician what kind of healthcare services you want to receive. This document goes into effect only when you: 1) no longer have the capacity to make healthcare decisions; and 2) have become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. Only you can change or cancel your living will. Please ask your nurse for an Advance Care Planning Packet.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A health care power of attorney allows you to name a person to act on your behalf to make healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself. The person you choose will make medical care choices on your behalf only if you lack the capacity to make healthcare decisions. You can choose any adult relative or friend you trust to act on your behalf when you cannot. If you have made your wishes known, the person chosen is required to comply with your instructions.
DNR Protocols
DNR stands for “do not resuscitate.” A DNR form allows you to limit your end-of-life emergency treatment. A DNR is a physician's medical order that is written into your medical record. A DNR must be written and signed by a physician, advanced practice nurse or certified nurse practitioner. A DNR lets healthcare workers know that you do not want to be resuscitated in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. This means you do NOT want to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event your heart stops beating or you stop breathing. A DNR is only prepared after discussions between you and your physician. The Ohio Department of Health has established a standardized DNR form. You should talk with your physician about the options that are best after considering your individual health and personal circumstances.
Advance Care Planning Counseling
Healthcare providers are available to meet with you and your family to discuss issues and questions you may have related to Advanced Care Planning. If at any time before, during or after your stay at Licking Memorial you would like more information on Advance Care Planning, you may request a consultation. Please contact Dave Mason, Director of Pastoral Care, at (220) 564-7729 to schedule a free appointment to discuss advance care planning.