Posted: June 25th, 2015

week 5 discussion

this is a two part assignment
part 1
Obtain both living will and a durable power of attorney documents from your place of work, the Internet, or other source,
Include a citation to the site where you retrieved your advance directive (if you obtained it online) or from your reading on advance directives. If you obtained the form from another source then document the source..

Where did you obtain your advance directive forms?
How accessible were the documents?
If you had to get them from someone else, did they have them readily available?
Did they know what you wanted?
How difficult do you think it would be for a an older adult who is a layman (non nurse) to obtain and complete these forms?Comment on the benefits of such forms for your family or the healthcare team in determining what you would want if you couldn’t speak for yourself.
What was the reaction of the person with whom you discussed your advance directives?
Did the reaction surprise you?

How have your knowledge and opinion of advance directives changed as a result of this exercise?

part 2
Provide one substantive peer response.

peer’s comments

Where did you obtain your advance directive forms?

“Advance Directives.” Memorial Hermman. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2015.

http://www.memorialhermann.org/patients-caregivers/advance-directives/

How accessible were the documents?

It was easy to access the documents from online.

How difficult do you think it would be for an older adult who is a layman (non nurse) to obtain and complete these forms?

It will be a lot difficult for an older adult to obtain this form and complete because most elder individuals have limited knowledge of using computer. Also, they may have sensory or any physical problems and pain from terminal illnesses that make them unable to understand the form.

Comment on the benefits of such forms for your family or the healthcare team in determining what you would want if you couldn’t speak for yourself.

The benefit of this form is that you can choose somebody whom you most trust to make medical decision for you when you are unable to do. Also, it allows you to make your preference about medical care before you face a death

What was the reaction of the person with whom you discussed your advance directives?

I discussed my living will with my mom. I told her if I ever have a cancer or terminal illness, I would not receive a chemotherapy or any radiation therapy. Also, I wouldn’t receive artificial nutrition and fluid. My mom asked me why I wouldn’t want to receive a chemotherapy. I replied that my appearance would alter that I might lose hair and my body function would decline.

Did the reaction surprise you?

No, because I know chemotherapy is not really beneficial because not only it damages malignant cells but also our healthy cells. I really take care of my appearance so, if any treatments would alter my body image, I wouldn’t receive them.

How have your knowledge and opinion of advance directives changed as a result of this exercise?

Before completing this exercise, I did not know what the advance directives were and what they were for. Also, I did not know if they existed in healthcare setting. I think it is beneficial to have advance directives for those who have terminal illnesses. It gives the patients the preference about how they want to be treated regarding their medical care. It also allows the patients to have comfortable life until death.