This Wikipedia page defines the Patient Self Determination Act and the rights of all U.S. citizens to an advance care plan.
Caregiving Resources
Trusting Our Differences
During its 25 years of service, the Center for Practical Bioethics has taken on a number of initiatives that continue to have impact in the daily work of medical professionals across the country.
Listen to Helen Emmott, RN, explain one such project — Trusting Our Differences. (March 20, 2009).
Ethics Thru Drama
Created by Helen Emmott, RN and Julie Russell, RN
This video series of short, powerful, one-character dramas portrays cases like those faced by patients, families and healthcare providers across the continuum of care on any given day. It was developed with both nursing students and nursing professionals in mind.
This series is available for purchase through Icarus Films. When you book Helen as a speaker for your event, you can choose to include the book, Without Regrets, and/or this video series.
Caring Conversations
Caring Conversations is a way for families to prepare for serious illness or the end of life. However, oftentimes, even when a person appointed an agent to speak for them when they could no longer speak for themselves, neither the person nor the agent fully understood their roles and responsibilities.
In this audio, two of the authors, Sandy Silva and Helen Emmott, discuss emphasizing the partnership between the person and his or her agent or surrogate. (March 22, 2012).
Caregiving Resources for You
Senior Living Guide offers senior housing and healthcare options, definitions and terms.
Eldercation is a project dedicated to improving the way we think about aging citizens.
The Shepherd’s Centers of America (SCA) is a network of interfaith community-based organizations that provide meaning and purpose for adults throughout their mature years.
The American Association on Aging develops leadership, knowledge and skills to address the challenges and opportunities of a diverse aging society.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Elder Financial Abuse Guide
This guide covers what financial abuse is, why it happens and how older adults can protect themselves.
The Center for Practical Bioethics’ Caring Conversations© is designed to guide you, your family and your friends through the process of advance care planning.
HelpGuide offers guidance on advanced health care directives and living wills.
The National POLST Paradigm is an approach to end-of-life planning based on conversations between patients, loved ones, and medical providers.
Five Wishes is an easy-to-use living will process supported by the organization, Aging with Dignity.
The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care.
Gundersen Health provides a well accepted and easy-to-use advance care planning overview and tutorial.
Caring Connections provides people with information and support when they are planning ahead, caring for a loved one, living with an illness or grieving a loss.
The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of over 50 national organizations focused on family caregiving.
AARP provides information, tools and tips for caregivers in the Caregiving Resource Center.
Family Caregiver Alliance is a national center that provides support for families caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. We help educate the public on the risks of senior abuse.
The Recovery Village is dedicated to helping those struggling with substance abuse into recovery. Being a caregiver is one of the most selfless roles anyone can fulfill but can also lead some to turn to various forms of substance abuse to cope. Learn more about our drug and alcohol treatment resources and a list of addiction treatment centers.
TruVida Recovery
“Drug Abuse Warning Network data indicate that on an average day, there were over 2,000 drug-related ER visits for older adults.” Take a look at this informative Guide to Understanding and Helping Seniors Overcome Substance Use Disorders.
The mission at PayingForSeniorCare.com is to help the elderly and their family fully understand the cost of long term care and the programs that can provide financial support. The Paying for Senior Care Guide provides tools and references that cover a wide variety of topics such as available care options.
Internet Safety Guide for Seniors has information and tips for seniors on how to safely and securely use the internet.
The Definitive Guide to Senior Care, a how-to guide to types of care, costs and insurance, making for a smooth care transition. Gerontology & Long-Term Care: Helping Seniors Find Health & Wellness, understanding long-term care and tips for healthy aging. Guide to Gerontology Degrees Online.
A Guide to Spotting and Preventing Elder Abuse
. Elder abuse is an underreported and misunderstood issue. This guide may help seniors and their loved ones better understand it and take steps to prevent. Recognizing Substance Abuse & Addiction in Older Adults and How to Help, another informative guide for seniors and their families.
Dying Well offers articles, editorials and interviews for families and patients regarding their voice and their rights.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit dedicated exclusively to hospice care.
The Center for Practical Bioethics helps patients and their families, healthcare professionals, policymakers and corporate leaders grapple with ethically complex issues in medicine and research.
Aging with Dignity is a national non-profit organization with a mission to affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age and to promote better care for those near the end of life.
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging helps members live with dignity – and choices – in their homes or communities.
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, Shepherd’s Center Central is a local leader in the regional effort to ensure that all people can age successfully with dignity, security, and respect.
The mission of the Administration for Community Living is to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit service and advocacy organization representing older adults and the community organizations that serve them.
All website links or references are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content or accuracy or any other implied or explicit purpose.
Your role as healthcare proxy is to make appropriate and compassionate plans for that person, not to get consensus among all family members.