Planificación a futuro

Entienda el propósito y las partes de este documento legal y como crear el propio.

Entender que es un testamento en vida, y escuchar algunas preguntas comunes que usted debe considerar mientras está haciendo el suyo.

Entienda porque debe designar legalmente a alguien que tome decisiones médicas por usted, si alguna vez se encuentra incapaz de comunicarlas usted mismo.

Entienda las ventajas emocionales, financieras y jurídicas de la creación de este importante documento.

Vea estos consejos comunes para asegurarse de que su declaración de voluntad anticipada sea accesible a aquellos que la requieran y como actualizarla cuando usted desee.

Con este video aprenderás lo que debes y no debes hacer con una voluntad anticipada.

Con este video aprenderás sobre la orden de no resucitar (DNR).

Con este video aprenderás cómo puedes ser donador de órganos.

Con este video comprenderás por qué puede facilitar más tarde para todos si das a conocer tus deseos ahora.

Con este video aprenderás sobre las órdenes del doctor para el tratamiento de soporte vital.

Es posible que escuche acerca de una orden de no resucitar, a medida que se acerca al final de su vida. O, si usted representa legalmente a alguien que está cerca de la muerte, pero no puede tomar decisiones médicas, es posible que le pregunten sobre uno. También se le conoce como "orden de no reanimar" o una orden de "DNR", por sus siglas en inglés. Este es un documento legal escrito por un médico, pero que solo se crea si usted está de acuerdo con eso.

Es posible que escuche algo acerca de un formulario de órdenes médicas para el alcance del tratamiento, a medida que se acerca al final de su vida. O, si representa legalmente a alguien que está cerca de la muerte, pero que no puede tomar decisiones médicas, es posible que se le pregunte acerca de uno. Lo denominamos formulario "MOST", por sus siglas en inglés. Este es un documento legal que le permite mantener el control sobre su atención médica.

Resuscitation refers to the methods used to try to restart the heart and lungs if they stop working. If you have a serious illness, your healthcare provider will likely talk to you and your loved ones about resuscitation and other treatments you may need in the future. Read on to learn more about resuscitation and what you need to know when deciding about this treatment.

When you have a serious illness, your doctor will review treatment options with you as your illness progresses. Some of these treatments help support or sustain life if your body can no longer perform certain functions on its own. Artificial hydration is one such treatment.

When you have a serious illness, your healthcare provider will review treatment choices with you as your illness progresses. Artificial feeding is one such treatment. It supplies artificial nutrition to your body if you can no longer take in food by mouth. This sheet tells you more about artificial feeding as an option.

Certain treatments can help sustain life when you have a serious illness. But as your illness progresses, there may come a time when these treatments are no longer a benefit. You must then decide whether to continue or stop these treatments.

A healthcare proxy represents another person when that person can't speak for himself or herself. The name of this role varies by state. It may be called a Durable Medical Power of Attorney or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

An advance medical directive is a form that lets you plan ahead for the care you'd want if you could no longer express your wishes. This statement outlines the medical treatment you'd want or names the person you'd wish to make healthcare decisions for you. Be aware that laws vary from state to state, and it may be worthwhile to talk with an attorney.

A durable power of attorney for health care is only as good as the person you name to be your agent. If this person knows your treatment wishes and is willing to carry them out, you'll probably be well-represented. Be sure to tell your agent what's important to you.

If you understand how specific treatments may affect your quality of life, you can decide which ones you'd choose or refuse. You may want to talk to your healthcare provider about the possible benefits and risks of treatments.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders tell hospital staff not to perform potentially life-saving measures, such as CPR, if the person's heart and lungs stop working.

A time may come when the only outcome from the therapies that prolong life is the prolonging of suffering, with no chance of meaningful recovery. At that point, you may choose to talk with the healthcare provider and ask that life support be removed.

Often it's hard to know which medical treatment choices you might face. Would you rather let someone you trust decide for you? A durable power of attorney for health care lets you name an agent to carry out your wishes. This happens only if you can't express your wishes yourself.

ECMO provides life support care. The ECMO machine takes over the work of the heart, lungs, or both.