Advance Care Planning for Serious Illness

Administration on Aging / ACL. "Advance Care Planning for Serious Illness."

Key findings used in wiki

• Advance care planning includes learning about the illness, understanding treatment and care choices, talking with family and clinicians, and completing written documentation.
• The guide distinguishes two core advance-directive tools: a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care / health care proxy.
• It notes that Medicare covers voluntary advance care planning discussions during the Welcome to Medicare visit, the Annual Wellness Visit, and other times when the discussion is part of medical care.
• It explains that POLST forms (or state equivalents) are most relevant for serious illness or frailty when wishes need to travel as medical orders, and that form names and availability vary by state.
• It also supports reviewing advance directives regularly and making sure the documents work in the state where the person lives or spends significant time.