Essay: Options for End of Life Care PDF

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OPTIONS FOR END OF LIFE CARE

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Options for End of Life Care Alexandria Martin Psychology of Human Development (PSY 211 – 51) Rowan College at South Jersey 24 April 2020

OPTIONS FOR END OF LIFE CARE

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This paper explores two published texts regarding research on end of life care. There are many decisions to be made regarding care for dying individuals and not every option is suitable for each person. These options include advance care planning, a living will, a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment, and hospice care. Advance care planning is a process used by health care providers to make a plan with the dying person about their preferences for care at the end of their life. This type of planning breaks down into two documents: living will and advance directive.

OPTIONS FOR END OF LIFE CARE

3 Introduction

At the end of life, adults have many decisions to make regarding their life, death, and health care options. According to the United States Census Bureau, the current life expectancy is eighty-one years old for women and seventy-six years old for men (Santrock, 2020). Although the life expectancy has increased significantly over the last few decades death is inevitable and should be planned for carefully. There are a plethora of options regarding the medical decisions that can be made for end of life care including advance care planning, a living will, a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment, and hospice care. Medical Treatment Options Advance care planning is a common process used by health care professionals to speak with the dying patient about their preferences for end of life care. This results in the creation of a living will, a document stating the patient’s advance care planning, or an advance directive. An advance directive typically states which life-sustaining procedures and methods should be used or discontinued to prolong the life of a patient when death is imminent. These types of documents must be signed while the patient is awake, aware, alert, and oriented to self and to the situation. Another type of document that could be signed into effect is a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). These are typically discussed and charted by a physician after having a conversation with their patient and their loved ones regarding their plans for health care until death (Santrock, 2020). Hospice Care After advanced care planning is in effect, dying individuals may turn to making decisions regarding their life and death. When considering their death these decisions can include finances, unfinished business they have with others, and worrying about their loved ones after

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they expire. When considering their life individuals often reflect on the choices they made, reminisce with family and friends, and spend time trying to cope with their impending death. Common choices for older adults in this position are home hospice care and long term care facilities, also known as skilled nursing facilities. “Hospice is a special kind of care that focuses on the quality of life for people and their caregivers who are experiencing an advanced, lifelimiting illness” (“What Is Hospice Care?”). Often times family of the dying patient will refuse hospice care because they think it means they are giving up or that there is no hope left for their loved one. However hospice care was designed with the hope to provide these patients with the best quality of life every day during the final stage of their life. Conclusion End of life care can be provided in a variety of settings, depending on the level of care required for the patient. This can also depends on the resources available, goals for the patient’s care, and the type of facility where that person would like to stay while they receive care. Considering there are so many options for care, each option should be considered carefully.

OPTIONS FOR END OF LIFE CARE

5 References

Santrock, J. W. (2020). Essentials of Life-Span Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Education. “What Is Hospice Care?” (n.d.). American Cancer Society. cancer.org/treatment/end-of-lifecare/hospice-care/what-is-hospice-care.html....