Advance Care Planning Helps Your Loved Ones in the Event of an Emergency
We understand that you may feel uncomfortable discussing the type of care you want in the event you cannot advocate for yourself. Having this discussion with your family, healthcare providers, or estate planners is important. Advance care planning takes a tremendous burden off of your loved ones. Your preparation will let them know what treatments or interventions you want to have. GHC can help you begin these difficult discussions.
Advance Directive
An advance directive is a legal document for otherwise healthy patients used to develop care plans. This document outlines medical treatments you would refuse as well as specifying treatments you would like to receive so that your loved ones do not have to wonder what you would have wanted. It also allows you to designate a health care agent. Your health care agent has your permission to make decisions on your behalf in the event you cannot. An advance directive is not an order that medical professionals can follow in the event of an emergency.
Georgia POLST & South Carolina POST
You can designate your medical treatment preferences through the Georgia POLST and the South Carolina POST programs. POLST stands for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. These programs ensure your end-of-life wishes are honored. You can create an immediate medical order that healthcare professionals will follow in the event of an emergency. If you decide you would like to use a POLST form, your healthcare provider will complete this form after you have a discussion about your treatment options and goals.
