Helping home bound elderly clients understand and use advance directives.
The Patient Self-Determination Act passed by the United States Congress in December 1991 is usually defined in terms of the responsibility of health care institutions to inform patients about their rights and privileges in connection with life support measures. Social workers as well as other providers are aware that the time of admission is neither the auspicious time nor is the hospital the place of choice for conveying that information. The intent will be better fulfilled when patients arrive at the hospital with these decisions made and the documents in hand. This article presents the process of presenting the options of living wills and health care proxies to patients who receive home care services. With the cooperation and support of her team, the social worker informed these patients about these documents in their own homes and helped them with decisions required. The problems encountered, how help was given, and what was learned that can be used by other social workers in both practice and planning are covered.
Freedman
M
M
St. Albans Extended Care Center, New York, NY 11425, USA.
D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012947:Social Work / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States