The Five Wishes
The Five Wishes is an advanced care planning document that helps individuals express their preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care. It covers five areas: 1. **The Person I Want to Make Care Decisions for Me** - appointing a trusted individual to make decisions if you're unable. 2. **My Wish for the Kind of Medical Treatment I Want** - specifying desired treatments in life-threatening situations. 3. **How Comfortable I Want to Be** - indicating preferences for pain management and comfort care. 4. **How I Want People to Treat Me** - expressing desired emotional support and personal interactions. 5. **What I Want My Loved Ones to Know** - sharing personal messages and values. This document serves to ensure your wishes are understood and respected.
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The Five Wishes is a document that helps individuals express their preferences for end-of-life care. It includes wishes regarding personal healthcare choices, the kind of medical treatments one desires or does not want, comfort measures, and how to handle emotional and spiritual support. Additionally, it allows for appointing someone to make decisions on one's behalf if they're unable to do so. By outlining these wishes, individuals can ensure their values and desires are respected, relieving their loved ones of difficult decisions during challenging times. It serves as a vital tool for effective communication in healthcare planning.