Slide1: The popular, easy-to-use document that helps you plan for and receive the care you want and deserve


Slide2: Practical steps to make your wishes known and honored How to be there for your loved ones when needed the most Follow-up steps for communicating your wishes to others Additional resources and support This Presentation Will Cover:


Slide3: National, non-profit organization founded in 1996 Helps people to plan for and receive the care they want in case of serious illness Has grown to serve nine million Americans by creating and distributing Five Wishes Aging with Dignity


Slide4: What People Want: When facing end-of-life decisions, most of us would want the following wishes honored: To die at home To be free from pain To be in the company of loved ones To retain control of the care we receive


Slide5: The Contrast of Reality Less than 25 percent of Americans die at home, although more than 70 percent say that is their wish (Harvard Public Opinion Poll, 1999) Dying is often unnecessarily painful and isolating (SUPPORT Study, JAMA, 1995) Only 15 to 20 percent of the population has completed an advance directive (Archives of Internal Medicine study, July 2002)


Slide6: Reasons for This Stark Reality: The end of life is often treated only as a medical moment. People lack the care they want – almost everyone has a “horror story” of a loved one dying in pain or isolation that could have been avoided. Feelings of helplessness and fear lead to the appeal of assisted suicide as a “solution.”


Slide7: Meets legal requirements in 40 states, but helpful for all 50 Simple format, not written in “legalese” or medical jargon Distributed by Aging with Dignity and 10,000 organizations to eight million Americans First living will to address personal, emotional and spiritual needs, along with medical wishes Created with help of American Bar Association and health care experts as a Solution:


Slide8: A Tool to Promote Human Dignity People don’t want to be an object on a medical care “conveyor belt” Sometimes medicine doesn’t know when to stop Five Wishes helps you to communicate what you want – or don’t want It guides discussions with your loved ones and physician


Slide9: Why Fill Out ? End bed-side guessing game and guilt Create a discussion tool for your family and physician Get the care you want and deserve – even if you can no longer make your own decisions


Slide10: : nationally recognized


Slide11: Feedback: “We found an article on Five Wishes at a doctor’s office, after my husband had been diagnosed with cancer. We ordered it and we filled it out together. It was a great peace of mind … It certainly took a lot of the responsibility off me and his family was fully aware of the choices he made.” Mary H. of Arizona “My dad recently passed on and he had his Five Wishes done up, prior. We had done it together so I was aware of what he wanted. It made my life much less confusing in a difficult time.” J.R. of Rhode Island


Slide12: Who Should Use Anyone age 18 or older, whether single or married, a parent or an adult child, in good or poor health Distributed by doctors, nurses, lawyers, hospitals and hospices, faith communities and a variety of employers and retiree groups ?


Slide13: Five Wishes Meets Legal Requirements In 40 States and Washington, D.C.* *A complete listing can be found inside your


Slide14: Five Wishes does not meet current technical requirements in 10 states. Laws in these states require mandatory and often complicated forms. Residents may still find it helpful to complete Five Wishes as an attachment . Many people in these states say Five Wishes expresses their intentions in detail and provides a helpful guide for caregivers. If you don’t live in a state:


Slide15: covers: Which person you want to make health care decisions for you when you can’t make them yourself The kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want How comfortable you want to be How you want people to treat you What you want your loved ones to know


Slide16: WISH 1: The person you want to make health care decisions for you when you can’t make them yourself Known in legal terms as durable power of attorney for health care Allows you to name a person to act on your behalf – temporarily or permanently Offers suggestions for choosing the right person and naming alternate choices


Slide17: WISH 2: The kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want Part commonly known as a “living will” Expresses general instructions for your caregiver, such as the need to take medicine for pain, even if it leaves you sleepy Includes examples of “life support” such as tube feeding or CPR Gives you space to write instructions based on personal beliefs


Slide18: is not a Do Not Resuscitate Order The form shows that you don’t want life support treatment when you are dying Many states require the form to be filled out and signed by a doctor Check with your doctor for more information Medical staff may look for a “DNR” form or bracelet during emergency situations.


Slide19: WISH 3: How comfortable you want to be Stresses that you want your pain managed Expresses your choices for types of care, such as having a cool, moist cloth placed on your forehead if you have a fever, having your favorite music played, etc. You cross out or keep items based on your preferences


Slide20: WISH 4: How you want people to treat you What others should keep in mind if you become seriously ill Whether you want to have people around or your hand held when possible Whether you want prayers said Ideas for your surroundings, such as having pictures of loved ones handy


Slide21: WISH 5: What you want your loved ones to know A truly unique part of Five Wishes Encourages you to express matters of deep importance in an age where families often live apart Allows you to offer love and forgiveness to those who have hurt you Communicates practical matters such as preferences for memorial or burial


Slide22: Signing : Print your name Read the statement carefully Ask two witnesses to be present (see witness statement) Sign your Five Wishes in front of witnesses Witnesses don’t have to read your wishes


Slide23: After completing : Make copies of your completed Five Wishes for your family, friends, Health Care Agent and doctor Discuss your wishes Keep it available (in your top drawer, not your safe deposit box) Carry your wallet card


Slide24: Additional Resources: Five Wishes Video (VHS or DVD), designed to help present Five Wishes to groups or families Next Steps Guide, a companion booklet to Five Wishes, with conversation starters, commonly asked questions and answers, etc.


Slide25: 1-888-5 WISHES (594-7437) www.agingwithdignity.org fivewishes@agingwithdignity.org Aging with Dignity