Advance care planning: An umbrella term that refers to discussions between patients, loved ones and/or health care providers about the goals for treating serious, often terminal, illnesses. Ideally, such a discussion would end with a written plan for the patient and the appointment of a health care agent (a surrogate decisionmaker).
Health care directive: This is a specific document, sometimes called a living will, that spells out your specific wishes for medical care, should you no longer be able to communicate those wishes yourself. This document tackles, among other big questions, whether you want CPR, feeding tubes and pain and comfort medicines. It also requires naming a health care "agent" to carry out your wishes.
Palliative and hospice care: Both offer comfort to the seriously ill. Palliative care can improve the quality of life and gives support to the ill person and his or her family during and after treatment for serious illness. Hospice care focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting a patient whose life expectancy is measured in months, not years.
POLST: Providers Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. A POLST is a medical order used by seriously ill patients. A POLST details what procedures a patient does or does not want and gives additional clarity to emergency personnel, such as paramedics, EMTs and emergency physicians. In Minnesota, POLSTs are the medical standard of care. They are endorsed by the Minnesota Medical Association, the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board and the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
Will: A legal document in which you designate individuals or charities to receive your property and possessions, and raise your children if necessary, after you die.
Provided by Fairview Hospice
