DNR / Step plan

placey

Registered User
Sep 3, 2012
54
0
Hi

MIL is 96 and had dementia for nine years. She is cared for in her own home by SIL with family support. SIL has been given a form called Treatment Escalation Plan and Resuscitation Decision - I think it's replacing DNR. Has anybody else seen one? It's very confusing, offering alternatives such as 'consider hospital transfer' or ' nor for transfer' - you also have to choose between life prolonging treatment or not, ventilation or not, antibiotics or not.
We don't want painful and invasive treatment but we do want pain relief. How much weight does this document have and can you change your mind once it's been filled in? Is it any use at all?

Placey
 

InnerGeek

Registered User
Feb 9, 2016
121
0
Palliative care (care intended to provide comfort and freedom from pain) will always be given, what you have described in the form is for treatment that would prolong life rather than allowing events to take their natural course. Some people want it at all costs, others do not. Having it in a form like this makes decisions made during an emergency easier and quicker and ensures the wishes of the patient are followed. As you say its like the former dnr form.
 

placey

Registered User
Sep 3, 2012
54
0
Thanks IG. Ideally we want MIL to pass away at home, and not in hospital, but it would be very hard for my sister in law if MIL became very ill at home and none of the family were with her. We all live some distance away but would travel straight away when needed. Have you come across Fast Track Funding? Apparently there are emergency funds to employ nursing help for end of life care at home ( probably for other things too.) Maybe this should be more widely known.

Placey
 

Staff online

Forum statistics

Threads
138,149
Messages
1,993,468
Members
89,811
Latest member
robbertm