I have all the proper documents signed and the CNA knows where to find them. But there's no DNR - just the "living wills" and the DPA for me. Now I'm going off to the island again and this time only the CNA and my daughter will be here - not her older brother who's come through an eventful life and out the other side very nicely, thank you.
What happens should they discover him incapacitated in bed in the morning? or something happens later in the day? Call 911, I guess, but then what? The sons are on the DPA as alternates, but not the daughter; it could take an hour or more for the nearer son to get here, and it would take me the better part of a day to get home. How do we say, no CPR, no ventilator? Or do we?
well, the cell phone works SOMEtimes on the island - it's 10 miles out to sea so if you're standing in just the right place and wiggle your toes and cross your eyes MAYbe you can get it to work... I don't know if the doctor would do it at this point.
What I discovered when my husband had a medical emergency in January was that emergency medical personnel have only one DNR paper they can accept...my legal paperwork giving me durable power of attorney for medical care is not good for use with the medics that come when you call 911. (the one I got when we did all our legal paperwork) I didn't know that and my husband is a retired firefighter! It wasn't something I needed at that time, but the paramedics couldn't believe I didn't have it! In our area, it requires having the doctor's signature, and the patient's...since my husband can no longer sign, I could sign for him using my durable power of attorney for medical care. It needs to be renewed yearly. They told me to keep it on the fridge, and carry it with me when we're out...since you never know when something might happen. I don't know if these rules apply everywhere or just in our area.
In Texas, I signed a DNR paper, and checked off the box labeled "person in charge of patient" or something like that. Then her doctor signed it. The NH has it, and that's all that's needed.
I can find a copy of the form for you, but I don't know if it's good only in Texas.
OK, here is the form from Texas. It may help you in looking up the form for your state. It's a form that allows an "out of hospital" no-resusitate. As I understand it, when you call 911, if the paramedics get there and there is a need for extraordinary measures, then they are allowed to let the patient go peacefully, and not do everything extraordinary. You keep it in a folder and make sure they see it when they come in.
My mother had a DNR with her PCP. Unfortunately, she was brought into an ER & nobody had a record of it. She was put on a ventilator, her greatest fear, and then I was put in the position of having to make the decision to take her off it. That's like killing your mother. It was agony. But it did give my son & me time to say our final goodbyes. I asked her if she wanted her dr. to make the decision, because I could not. She agreed. Amazingly, after she was taken off the ventilator, she sort of came back to life for a while. We had great conversations, I got her all sorts of foods she wanted, etc. But you have to be sure that all have the DNR statement, or it can lead to trouble. So much miscommunication. Make sure the hospital of choice has a record of the DNR.
I'm putting together emergency packets. I haven't got a DNR form from a doctor yet, but his packet does say DNR from me. I'm his advocate and in Pennsylvania there is a form on the "living will" which requires you to DNR if the patient stated he wanted that if he was in a terminal disease. I'm going to get that DNR form into the packet as soon as I get it. (Yes, I'm working on something that will get me to the place where I can ask for the form.)
The packets go with you to the hospital. They have names, telephone numbers and addresses of doctors, all of the medications. Basically they answer all of the questions that you get asked.
I've done something else as well. I created 2 "In Case of Emergency" forms on the computer, one for when Hubby's left in the care of a respite person, here at home; the other for when he goes away with someone else. Provides his name and address, basic instructions for general emergencies, and for specifically medical ones. I.E.--what hospital, what Ambulance(with phone number);also how to reach me. There is a space to date the form, specify who is entrusted with his care, and giving them permission to seek emergency treatment. Then I sign it.
Here, if someone goes into the ER and can't authorize their own treatment, and there's no one with that authority there (available) all they'll do until they can get authorization, is basic first aid to get/keep them stable. Some years ago, that consisted of having our daughter lay her broken arm on a pillow with an ice pack on it, until we could be reached. Both bones in the lower arm, just above the wrist were broken badly enough to have to be pulled back into place (set) before it could be casted, and she had to be casted to above the elbow.
What I set up is specific for him. These are similar to what is reccommended when leavinmg children in the care of sitters.
With our current situation I have taken the Advance Directive out of our little safe and am bringing it with me. When my Mom was near death I thought to take that along. Even though it was on file with the hospital we used they didn't note it when she was admitted. You need to make sure they have the correct color label on their wrist - I learned the hard way my Mom's was wrong. Even if everyone is notified you apparently have to check and having the paperwork available may be necessary.
i carry the advanced directive with me to ER as well. and i have a copy in the side folder of his medicine bag and a list of all current meds and contacts..theres a need to have everything in a moments notice when you are dealing with AD. divvi