Finally, let’s talk about advance directives. These are legal documents that allow people to know your wishes or decisions in case you are unable to make those decisions on your own.
It is common for clients we serve to have advance directives. The types we are going to cover today are Power of Attorney and Do Not Resuscitate orders.
First, let’s learn about Power of Attorney, or POA. A Power of Attorney is a person who is designated to make healthcare and financial decisions for a client when the client is unable to do so. Sometimes, a client will designate two people for the POA role in order to make it easier. For example, they may choose their son as the POA for healthcare decisions and the daughter as the POA for financial decisions. The Power of Attorney begins when the client can no longer make decisions for themselves, including if they are confused due to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
You will know who the POAs are if there are any because that information will be listed in the Care Plan.
Next, let’s learn about the Do Not Resuscitate order. This is also called a DNR order. This advance directive must be signed by the person’s physician. It indicates that the person does not want to receive CPR if their heart stops beating.
You will know if a client has a DNR because it will be listed on their care plan. They will also have a copy of it in their home. DNR orders are on a bright yellow or orange piece of paper, and our clients typically keep them on their fridge or taped on a kitchen cabinet.
At Easy Living, it is our policy to call 9-1-1 in all emergency situations. If someone you care for has a DNR order, you will call 9-1-1 as well. First responders will adhere to the client’s wishes.
If the person is on hospice, you will call hospice if their heart stops beating.