by National Institute on Aging
You can ask a doctor to help you think through health care choices that may be covered in your living will, like life-sustaining care and other treatment decisions, before you put them in writing. For example, you might ask about the decisions you or your family may face if your high blood pressure leads to a stroke.
You can also ask a doctor about other medical orders you may need in an emergency situation or at the end of life. Common orders include:
Do not resuscitate (DNR) order. A DNR becomes part of your medical chart to tell medical staff that you don’t want CPR or other life-support measures to restore your heartbeat and breathing.
Do not intubate (DNI) order. A similar document, a DNI tells medical staff that you don’t want to be put on a ventilator.
Out-of-hospital DNR order. An out-of-hospital DNR alerts emergency medical staff to your wishes to restore your heartbeat or breathing if you aren’t in a hospital.
Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) and medical orders for life-sustaining treatment (MOLST) forms. These forms provide guidance about your medical care that medical staff can act on immediately in an emergency. Typically, you create a POLST or MOLST when you’re near the end of life or critically ill and know the specific decisions that might need to be made on your behalf.
Prepare for your appointment by:
Asking your health care proxy to come with you if that makes you more comfortable.
Writing down some of your current health issues and your questions about future health care and end-of-life care.
Completing the Tips for talking with your doctor about advance care plan worksheet.
You may find it difficult to ask your doctor directly about your current prognosis or about end-of-life care. Remember, the goal is simply to start the conversation. You do not have to make specific decisions about your medical care until you feel ready.
