There’s a recent article in the New York Times about a new type of Advance Directive for dementia. It’s a five page attempt to help us to clarify in advance, what our wishes for medical interventions would be if we’re descending into dementia. Click here to download the directive.
It was created by at the University of Washington and published in JAMA by Barak Gaster, MD; Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH.; J. Randall Curtis, MD, MPH. Dr. Larson has spoken at Skyline previously as has Dr. Curtis.
Click the following to read their Viewpoint in JAMA: jama_Gaster_2017_vp_170162
End of Life Washington has a more complex 13 page legally oriented Alzheimer’s Advance Directive which you can download here. This may be too complex for some to fathom, but both documents are a step in the right direction.
Comment: All advance directives are by nature limited. Our choices may change as circumstances change. The directives may not be found and there is evidence they may not be followed at times. The best insurance to have our wishes followed is to have a strong advocate that knows our heart. We need to have conversations with those we trust. At the bedside when you are critically ill, the doctors will turn to your loved ones and build consensus about what your wishes may be when you can’t speak for yourself. Click here to view a methodology I used in the ICU when trying to focus on what a critically ill patient would want.