Decision-making strategies: Substituted judgment and best interests Hospice staff can help determine whether a medical condition is part of the normal dying process or something that needs the attention of health care personnel.įor situations that are not addressed in a person’s advance care plan, or if the person does not have such a plan, you can consider different decision-making strategies to help determine the best approach for the person. If end-of-life care is given at home, you will need a special out-of-hospital order, signed by a doctor, to ensure that emergency medical technicians, if called to the home, will respect the person’s wishes. If the person has written documents as part of an advance care plan, such as a do not resuscitate order, tell the doctor in charge as soon as possible. Addressing a person’s advance care wishes This can be overwhelming for family members, especially if they have not had a chance to discuss the person’s wishes ahead of time - or if multiple family members are involved and do not agree. If the person can no longer communicate, you may be asked to make difficult decisions about their care and comfort.

You may wonder how you can comfort the person, prevent suffering, and provide the best quality of life possible in their remaining time. You are probably reading this because someone close to you is dying.

Good life decisions