CHRISTUS Spohn - LiveWell

Peace A GIFT OF The end of life can be fraught with emotion. An Advance Directive is a gift you can give your loved ones now to allow clarity and closure in that potentially difficult time ahead. "Advance Directives were once called living wills," says Michael Doane, MSHA, ACPE, MDiv, Executive Director of Spiritual Care for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, "but living wills are no longer used in Texas. Instead, we encourage people to complete one of two documents to help guide their end-of-life care: a Directive to Physician, Family, or Surrogate or a Medical Power of Attorney. These are the two most popular types of Advance Directive." Advance Directives are not instructions to end treatment. In fact, people can specifically use an Advance Directive to request that every possible measure be taken to prolong their lives. A LETTER OF LOVE The eChaplain Is Always on Call If you have questions about end-of-life care or other matters related to spiritual care, contact an eChaplain online by visiting christushealth.org/echaplaincy. Michael Doane, Executive Director of Spiritual Care for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, will respond to your question by email, telephone or appointment. Patients or family members may dial "0" for the operator at any of our hospitals to be connected with a Chaplain. Upon request, Chaplains from CHRISTUS Spohn are available to offer a nonfaith-specific presentation on Advance Directives at your church, synagogue or other organization. Please contact the CHRISTUS Spohn Speakers' Bureau for a speaker on Advance Directives at 361-861-9509. 14 A Directive to Physician, Family, or Surrogate records a person's preferences for medical care, for use at times when they cannot speak for themselves. Advance Directives address whether, and under what circumstances, people want treatments, including: • Assistance with feeding and breathing • CPR and other forms of resuscitation • Treatments to prolong life, such as antibiotics and chemotherapy A CALM CENTER A Medical Power of Attorney designates a decision-maker for when a person can no longer make their wishes known. They do not convey power of attorney over financial or legal matters. By naming a single representative, these documents can help families avoid confusion and pain. "Often, people don't discuss end-of-life care," Rev. Doane says. "If loved ones are finding these conversations difficult, we encourage them to say, 'I want to make sure I know your wishes so I can honor them,' and to do that in the context of a loving talk about their understanding of life and their purpose in this world." Rev. Doane encourages a person to also consider talking with their clergy about such matters. He says, "There are no mainline faith traditions that oppose the use of Advance Directives." For a copy of Advanced Directives and Medical Power of Attorney forms, visit the Texas Hospital Association's website at tha.org. www.christusspohn.org

• Cover