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 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 »
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 »
The answer is no. Absolutely not. Let’s talk about the concept of “hospital transfers.” I want to give you some things to think about and consider for your person. First, what does hospital transfer mean? When I use this term I am referring to your person physically leaving where they live and being brought to
Person Living with Dementia Values Quality of Life? Do they always need the hospital? Read More »
It is no secret that caregivers are suffering from burnout. I want you to know, there is nothing wrong with you. Healthcare professionals like me are also facing burnout at alarming rates. Personally, I don’t like the term burnout. It implies that there is something wrong with us, that we are the problem. It used
A “Burnout” Solution for Dementia Family Caregivers Read More »
OK, let’s jump back in this week where we left off with Mistake #6. If you are looking for the first post with mistakes 1-5, you can find it here. 6 – Not Using Medical Order Forms When They Go Along with Goals of Care When your person can no longer speak for themselves, this
10 Mistakes to Avoid as Medical Power of Attorney – Part 2 Read More »
I can not stress enough how difficult it can be to make life and death choices for another person, especially someone you love. This is an incredibly important job. We know that people living with dementia are living with a progressive disease in their brain which at some point will make it so they are
10 Mistakes to Avoid as Medical Power of Attorney Read More »
