Speaking on behalf of someone and making their medical decisions is a big responsibility. As an ER physician, I see most dementia caregivers waiting too long to consider and define goals of care for their person. Often this topic was never discussed before the person lost their ability to speak for themself. Caregivers tell me […]
A Confident Dementia POA Easily Communicates Goals of Care. Read More »
Determining goals of care is a foundational step in making a medical care plan for your person. It is work that can not be avoided if you want to have a plan because every decision will be based on the person’s overall goals. If you haven’t already, I recommend you read my first goals of
4 Steps for a Successful Dementia Goals of Care Talk Read More »
Before we get started with the 5 Steps, I want to share a strong value I hold as a physician, but also as a human being. I believe when someone is sick, they should be given the information they need in order to understand the treatment options available to them. With this information they can
Even working exclusively night shifts, I care for a patient living with dementia almost every shift I work in the ER. There are so many challenges the person faces themselves, but also the people who are advocating on their behalf. To do right by those affected all over the world our collective approach to dementia
Reimaging Dementia: A Physician’s Perspective on the Urgent Need for Change Read More »
A change in the way the person is acting or behaving is one of the most common reasons a person living with dementia will be seen in the ER. This often looks like increased confusion, agitation, or the person speaking less and being more withdrawn than usual. We call this a change in mental status,
How to Troubleshoot Sudden Behavior Changes in Dementia in 6 Steps Read More »
Before we discuss the 3 ways to become a medical decision maker, I want you to be aware that in the US there is a federal law which allows us to “direct our health care wishes in advance.” One way to do this is by naming the person you want to make medical decisions on
3 Common Ways to Become Someone’s Medical Decision Maker Read More »
Let’s kick this off by getting clear on what “Critical Care” actually means. To make it simple, I want you to think of this as care that will ultimately happen inside a hospital. It supports someone through an illness or condition which threatens their life or their body’s ability to function. Critical Care can and
Critical Care & Dementia: What Decision Makers Need to Understand Read More »
Before we get started, I want to make sure you are in the right place. This article is meant for you if you are making medical decisions on behalf of a person living with dementia and they did name a medical decision maker in a legal document such as a “Medical Power of Attorney” form.
Have a POA? How to get Dementia Families on the Same Page Making Medical Decisions. Read More »
Before we get started, I want to make sure you are in the right place. This article is meant for you if you are making medical decisions on behalf of a person living with dementia and they did not name a medical decision maker in a legal document such as a “Medical Power of Attorney”
No POA? How to get Dementia Families on the Same Page Making Medical Decisions Read More »
As an ER physician, I often have to care for patients who can not speak for themselves. I believe that every adult in the US (anyone over 18) should name a person, as well as a backup, as their stand-in medical decision maker in the case they are unable to choose for themselves. Naming someone
Dementia and medical power of attorney (POA) forms. What you need to know. Read More »
