Making Health Care Decisions

Making decisions about your healthcare can be overwhelming. There are numerous things to consider and if you or a family member are already dealing with a life-limiting illness, it becomes more complex. We at High Peaks Hospice would like to give you the resources that are necessary when you make the decisions.

Advanced directives are legal documents that allow people to state what medical treatments they want or do not want in the event that they are unable to make decisions or communicate because of illness or injury, includes a living will.

Living Will: States your choices regarding health care in the event you can no longer speak for yourself. You can say which medical treatments or care you would want, which ones you would want to avoid, and under which conditions your choices apply. It also allows you to record your organ donation, pain relief, funeral, and other advance planning wishes.

Health Care Proxy NYS Health Care Proxy law allows you to name an agent who can make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to communicate these yourself. Your proxy, also known as your agent, should be familiar with your values and wishes. A proxy can be chosen in addition to or instead of a living will.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) A medical order written by a doctor prior to an emergency. It instructs health care providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or specific other emergency procedures if your heartbeat or breathing stops. Per our policies, even without a DNR, our staff does not perform CPR and would instead direct you to other emergency personnel.

MOLST a MOLST is Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. MOLST is a program designed to improve the quality of care the patient receives at the end of life by translating patient goals for care and preferences into medical orders. These are for patients with advanced illness who might die within 1-2 years; require long-term care services or wish to avoid and/or receive specific life-sustaining treatments.