Partnering with your doctor means engaging in conversations to help you understand your unique medical situation and for your doctor to better understand you: your values, perspectives, priorities, and wishes.
Follow these steps as you work with your physician:
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your advance directives. This appointment is designed for you and your doctor to discuss both your unique medical situation and the options available to you as you consider your goals of care.
- Prepare by writing down the important topics you want to discuss and the questions you have. Consider inviting someone to join you as additional support.
- Complete your advance directive and the Compassion & Choices Dementia Values & Priorities Tool. Bring a copy of your advance directive to your appointment and ask your doctor to add it to your medical record.
- Depending on your needs, your physician may recommend completing a “POLST” (or “MOST”) form. This medical document translates your goals of care into medical orders. It is the safest way to ensure your wishes are honored by healthcare providers if you are unable to articulate them yourself.
The My End-of-Life Decisions Guide includes the Dementia Values & Priorities Tool, which helps you create a dementia directive that can be added to your advance directive. |
