body donation for medical education or scientific research.traditional in-ground or mausoleum burial.Many options are available and may come with different costs.
Body dispositionīody disposition is what a person wants to happen with their body after death. The person still receives supportive care measures from caregivers and often a hospice. Natural deathĪ person allows a disease to take its natural course until they experience a natural death. The laws on assisted suicide vary according to country.Ĭlick here to learn more about euthanasia and assisted suicide. artificial nutrition and hydration (tube feedings)Įuthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are when a mentally competent, terminally ill adult makes the choice to end their life with prescribed medication.Examples of life-sustaining treatment may include: Some examples may include: Treatment refusalĪ person may decide to refuse life-sustaining treatment if it does not help or prolongs suffering from their underlying medical condition.
#Life or death decisions synonym how to#
Choosing how to dieĮveryone has different thoughts, values, and beliefs on how they want to die. People can learn more about organ donation from the Health Resources & Services Administration. Organ and tissue donor designationĪ person can choose to donate organs, tissues, or both upon their death. A person may become unable to make decisions due to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, an accidental brain injury, or a stroke. Power of attorney is a legal document that allows a person to appoint an agent to act on their behalf, should they become incapacitated or unable to function as usual. Last will and testamentĪ last will and testament, also known as a will, is a legal document where the decedent (person who dies) gives instructions to a named executor on how to distribute their finances and possessions. Healthcare professionals use these orders when a person requires medical care and cannot communicate their desires. POLST are medical orders that travel with a person who is seriously ill or has advanced frailty. People can find an example of an advance directive form here. Individuals can go over and change their advance directives as many times as necessary. Some states also require notarization of the advance directive. Research suggests that most physicians agree that having advanced directives helps in the end-of-life decision-making process by reducing the overuse of life-sustaining treatments and increasing the use of comfort measures.Ī person signs an advance directive in the presence of two witnesses. A healthcare proxy appoints someone of an individual’s choosing to have the authority to make decisions on their behalf if they cannot do so.
This may include: Documentsĭocumentation people may want to complete can include: Advance directivesĪccording to the Hospice Foundation of America, advance directives are documents known as a living will and a healthcare proxy.Ī living will describes the type of medical care a person would want in specific circumstances.
While it may seem daunting, planning ahead can help make advance care easier.
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