Plan Ahead for Comfort Care

We carry an umbrella in case of rain. We keep a flashlight on hand in case the power goes out.

While we conscientiously prepare for contingencies, most of us neglect to plan for life’s biggest certainty: death.

Fewer than 50% of adults have legal documents such as advance directives or living wills that delineate how far medical providers should go to keep them alive artificially. Even if they do, these documents are not always honored.

As a nonprofit hospice, our goal is to offer compassionate care that maintains a patient’s dignity and comfort while helping the family navigate the mosaic of healthcare choices. We encourage families to develop an Advanced Care Plan that includes communicating one’s wishes and designating a surrogate who can advocate and make decisions, when necessary.

The Power of POLST

People with declining chronic illnesses should speak frankly with their doctor about the comprehensive Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) paradigm. A POLST document is a legally binding “promise” by the physician to honor the patient’s specific end-of-life medical treatment wishes, as discussed in detail between the patient and physician. Once signed by the physician, POLST travels with the patient, ensuring that a seriously ill person’s wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments are known, communicated and honored in all healthcare settings.

Each of us needs to be informed and pragmatic. Having your wishes legally documented in advance means you will achieve what all of us want at the end of life: to make a graceful exit.