Help With Long Term Care Planning

Advance Care Planning | Kind Path Guide

Kind Path Guide

Understanding Your Advance Care Planning Options

Clear, compassionate guidance on the documents that protect your wishes when it matters most.

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Check the documents you already have — or would like to learn more about. Then let us know if you'd like personal support completing them.

The three key documents

POLST
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
Medical order

A doctor's order — not just a preference. It travels with a seriously ill patient and tells emergency responders and care teams exactly what to do, or not do, right now.

✓ Must be signed by a physician, NP, or PA
✓ Takes effect immediately — no hospital required
✓ Covers CPR, hospitalization, and comfort-care choices
! For people who are already seriously ill or frail
✓ You can meet with your Primary Care Provider and fill this out with them directly.
Best for: Elderly patients, hospice or palliative care, anyone with a serious chronic illness who wants their wishes honored in any setting.
Advanced Care Directive
Also called a Living Will
Legal document

A personal statement of your future medical wishes — written while you're healthy — that guides doctors if you ever can't speak for yourself.

✓ Written by you — no doctor required to create it
✓ Covers scenarios like permanent unconsciousness or terminal illness
✓ Can be very specific about your values and wishes
! Only activates when you lose decision-making capacity
! Does not designate a person to speak for you
Best for: Any adult who wants to document their wishes in advance — especially those who don't yet have a serious illness.
Advanced Care Directive + POA
Living Will + Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Strongest protection

Everything in an Advanced Care Directive, plus a named person — your healthcare agent or proxy — who is legally authorized to make decisions for you when you can't.

✓ Your written wishes guide the agent's decisions
✓ The agent can handle situations your document didn't anticipate
✓ Requires witnesses or notarization (varies by state)
✓ Most comprehensive option for most people
Best for: Anyone who wants both documented wishes and a trusted person who can adapt to unexpected medical situations. This is what most attorneys recommend.
Feature POLST Care Directive Directive + POA
Who creates it Doctor + patient You You
Needs a doctor's signature Yes No No
Names a decision-maker No No Yes
Active immediately Yes No No
Handles unexpected situations Limited Limited Agent adapts
Followed by first responders Yes Sometimes Sometimes
Ready for support?

Would you like assistance completing these documents?

Mel is available to guide you personally or in a small group setting.

Would you like assistance completing these documents?

Would you prefer one-on-one time with Mel, or a group conversation where you complete the documents together?

Kind Path Guide  ·  Mel  ·  melwatsonadvocate@icloud.com

This page provides general educational information only and does not constitute legal or medical advice.