As a child of an elderly parent, there are few things more important than
making good decisions. One of the problems with our healthcare system is
that it is very fragmented. Often the care you receive from each stop
along the way (Hospital, Rehab, Home Health, Doctor) is not coordinated
carefully, which leaves you as the common thread that needs to orchestrate
the best recovery.
I found a great Handbook entitled “Making Medical Decisions for Someone
Else” that I thought might be a great teaching tool for you. This
Handbook was created for the state of Maryland by the American Bar
Association Commission on Law and Aging. You should check it out, it has
some great information.
Here are some of the highlights:
– How to talk to your parents about their wishes
– Steps to follow when making a medical decision
– Questions to ask the doctor
– Definition of Health Proxy
– Resources to help resolve disputes
– Some great definitions and terms to know
Hang in there!
David