Goals of Care and Advance Care Planning

At HomeBasedMedicine.com, we help individuals and families navigate important healthcare decisions through Goals of Care and Advance Care Planning services. Our approach focuses on aligning medical treatments with each person’s values and preferences, ensuring that care is personalized, compassionate, and reflective of individual needs. Below are descriptions of each service we offer:

Goals of Care

Our Goals of Care services help you establish a clear understanding of your healthcare priorities. Whether managing a chronic illness, palliative care needs, or considering end-of-life care options, we work with you to identify the types of treatments and interventions that best match your personal values and desired quality of life. We aim to create a tailored care plan that focuses on what matters most to you, from comfort measures to life-prolonging treatments.

Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning involves preparing for future healthcare decisions by documenting your preferences for medical treatments in various scenarios. Our team guides you in creating advance directives, designating a healthcare proxy, and preparing a living will to ensure your healthcare wishes are honored. This proactive approach helps avoid confusion or uncertainty during critical moments, giving you and your loved ones peace of mind that your choices will be respected.

Advance Directives

An advance directive is a legal document that outlines your medical treatment preferences in the event that you cannot speak for yourself. It may include instructions for life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation preferences, and comfort care options. Our team helps you understand and complete this important document.

Healthcare Proxy

A healthcare proxy allows you to appoint a trusted person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. We assist you in choosing the right individual and provide guidance on how to communicate your wishes effectively to your designated proxy.

POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)

A POLST form is a medical order that specifies the types of life-sustaining treatments you wish to receive based on your current health status and goals of care. Unlike advance directives, which are legal documents, POLST forms are actionable medical orders signed by a healthcare provider. They are especially useful for individuals with serious illnesses or frailty, ensuring that healthcare professionals respect your treatment preferences during emergencies. At HomeBasedMedicine.com, we help you understand the POLST process and guide you through completing the form, so your care aligns with your values and wishes in real-time medical situations. Download it here.

Living Will

A living will is a written statement detailing your preferences for end-of-life medical care. It is used to communicate your desires regarding treatments such as artificial ventilation, feeding tubes, and other life-sustaining measures. We help you create a living will that clearly reflects your personal beliefs and healthcare priorities.

Keywords: goals of care, advance care planning, palliative care, end-of-life care, chronic illness management, advance directives, healthcare proxies, living wills, home-based medicine, personalized healthcare decisions, comfort measures, life-sustaining treatments, quality of life, legal healthcare documents.