Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates, also called a living will, lets you communicate your wishes about the type of medical treatment you want if you are terminally or irreversibly ill and are unable to make your wishes known because of your illness or injury.Texas Health and Human Services provides advanced directives on its website. If you have questions about completing the form, talk to your health care provider and/or a member of your health care team. To learn more, visit the Texas Hospital Association website.
You should talk to your loved ones and medical providers as you get ready to prepare your documents so they understand your wishes. Unexpected end-of-life situations can happen at any age, so all adults should prepare these documents. You also help reduce confusion or disagreement about the choices you want people to make on your behalf.Īdvance directives are not only for older adults. Living wills/advance directives are written, legal instructions regarding your preferences for medical care if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.Īdvance directives allow you to record your goals and wishes so your medical team and caregivers know what they are.īy planning ahead, you are more likely to avoid unwanted or unnecessary suffering and relieve caregivers of decision-making burdens during moments of crisis or grief. Services also might be available for veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Hospice is a Medicare and Medicaid benefit it also is covered by many commercial insurance plans as well. How Can I Pay for Care?Īs a recognized medical specialty, supportive palliative care interdisciplinary team services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans. If you think you or a family member would benefit from palliative care, talk with your doctor or health care provider. Take the quiz to help determine whether palliative care might be right for you or someone close to you. Improved family and patient satisfaction.Benefits of palliative care for family members include: Your family members also might need support. You are not the only one affected by your illness. Often live longer when diagnosed with cancer.Experience less pain and other types of discomfort.Receive treatments that accommodate their wishes.The earlier you access supportive palliative care services, the better your quality of life will be. However, you can receive supportive palliative care services at any stage of an illness. Palliative care frequently is misunderstood as hospice or end-of-life care. Hospice Care (PDF) Who Can Benefit from Palliative Care?Īnyone with a chronic, serious or life-limiting illness can benefit. There are two types: supportive palliative care and hospice. Watch the "You are a Bridge" video Are There Different Kinds of Palliative Care? It's providing compassion and quality care to you and your family members. Palliative care is more than simply managing your medical needs – it is a way to live life. It is provided by a team of palliative care doctors, nurses, social workers and others who work together with a patient's other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is patient-centered and family-focused. The focal point of palliative care is to provide better holistic symptoms management, pain, stress and symptom management for as long as your illness lasts, in coordination of ongoing concurrent treatment or if prognosis is six months or less (hospice care). Supportive palliative care starts from day one. Any person diagnosed with a chronic, serious illness can benefit from palliative care to improve their quality of life. You might think palliative care is only for people with a terminal illness, but that's not entirely true. When you have a serious illness, the support of your medical team, family and friends makes a difference. Medicaid Supplemental Payment & Directed Payment ProgramsĪ life-changing or serious illness can alter your quality of life.