Ever tried to assemble a flat-packed piece of furniture without a manual? Yeah, that’s what trying to understand end-of-life documents can feel like.
Your eyes glaze over words like POLST and Living Will as if they’re part of a secret language you missed learning at school.
But fear not, friend! I’m here, not just to help you navigate this baffling language, but to actually get it.
Like, really get it.
Let’s introduce our two main characters, POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and Living Will.
These are not just acronyms you’ll encounter on a Sudoku puzzle, but essential pieces of documentation. The kind you hope you never need, but when you do, they suddenly become the most critical thing since the invention of toilet paper.
Imagine, if you will, a fictional character; let’s call him Fred. Fred is healthy but suddenly realizes mortality isn’t just for other people.
Staring at these two documents, he experiences a level of bewilderment akin to trying to complete a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, and the stakes? Well, they’re as high as they get.
Fred’s confusion mounts. If this were a scene in a movie, it would be the climax. The point where the tension is so high, the popcorn’s forgotten, and everyone is holding their breath.
“What the hell does all of this mean?!” he exclaims.
But, for all its wisdom, Google is as clear as mud.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Let’s dive deeper into Fred’s predicament, shall we?
His confusion was like a labyrinth that he couldn’t navigate his way out of. Just as he’s on the verge of raising the white flag in surrender, we swoop in, capes fluttering in the wind.
Our mission? To decode POLST (or POST, MOLST, MOST, depending on where you are) for Fred, and yes, for you too.
What is POLST
POLST, an acronym for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (or Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment, Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment, depending on the state), is not your ordinary piece of paper.
It’s as official as a stamped passport, carrying the authority of a medical decree. It’s a detailed set of orders as intricate as a Swiss watch’s inner workings.
Imagine it this way. You’re about to embark on an intense online battle game you’ve never attempted before. The difficulty? Hardcore. Who would you seek assistance from? The game’s creators, naturally!
Similarly, POLST is a detailed strategy guide from the one person who understands your health intricacies best – your physician. It’s specifically designed for those who are seriously ill, as delicate as a glass figurine or as fragile as rice paper.
Within this document, you’re the master of the chessboard. Always fancied being a film director? Well, here’s your golden opportunity! You’re the one calling “Action!” or “Cut!”, deciding what kind of treatment you desire (or wish to avoid) in a medical crisis.
For instance, you can determine whether you want to be resuscitated (a DNR order) if your heart falters to prevent the strain of chest compressions and shocks.
Or, you might stipulate that you don’t want to be intubated and tethered to a ventilator if breathing becomes a Herculean task. It’s all delineated, clear as crystal.
Since POLST is a physician’s order, emergency personnel must adhere to it.
They can’t merely nod, offer a placating smile, and carry on as they planned. It’s as binding as a referee’s call in a World Cup match. As you wouldn’t dispute with the ref over a penalty kick, POLST leaves no room for ambiguity or debate.
It’s definitive, respected, and followed to the last detail.
So, we’ve taken our first stride in untangling POLST (or POST, MOLST, MOST) for Fred (and you!). It’s no longer just an imposing acronym or a mystifying document but a robust instrument granting you command in the face of severe illness.
Ready to plunge deeper?
What is Living Will
Okay, Fred, are you still with me?
Great! Now let’s get to the meat of the Living Will, which, despite its misleading name, has nothing to do with who gets what.
It’s not about Great Uncle Larry’s priceless coin collection, nor is it about Aunt Martha’s astounding assortment of porcelain cats that line her window sills.
A Living Will is like a roadmap for your healthcare decisions. It’s like an autobiography, but instead of your life’s grand adventures and mishaps, it’s all about your healthcare wishes and preferences.
Imagine you’re going on a road trip. Before you set off, you decide on the route, right? You wouldn’t leave it to the GPS to take you on a never-ending whirl through every back road.
That’s exactly what a Living Will does. It charts your journey through any potential medical emergencies, dictating the specific treatments you’d want to have (or not have) if you found yourself unable to communicate your wishes.
Let’s get down to brass tacks here. Within the confines of this document, you, yes, you! You are the maestro of your health destiny.
You could choose not to have certain life-prolonging measures like dialysis if your kidneys fail, or you could decline tube feeding if you can no longer eat or drink.
You could even set boundaries on pain management, requesting to avoid certain medications that might extend life but could leave you in a foggy state of consciousness.
You might think, “A Living Will sounds much like POLST.” Well, you’re not wrong, but you’re not entirely right, either. Think of them as siblings, similar yet unique in their own ways.
We’ll delve more into their differences soon, but for now, rest assured that your Living Will empowers you to steer your medical journey according to your values and desires, even when you can’t express them verbally.
So, Fred, we’re about to get into the thick of it. The journey to understanding these documents is far from over, and there’s plenty more road to cover.
POLST vs Living Will
You got this far, Fred, and by golly, so did you! Now, it’s time to stir the pot a bit.
Think of POLST and Living Will as salt and pepper, distinct yet complementary. They can function harmoniously, each lending its unique flavor to the savory stew of your healthcare decisions.
A Living Will is like that indispensable pair of jeans in your closet; it’s a good starting point for everyone. Yet remember, a Living Will is not a medical order. It’s more of a wish list.
It doesn’t matter if you’re as healthy as a horse or prone to the occasional sniffle. Crafting a Living Will is something all adults should consider. It’s your safety net, your backup plan, ensuring your medical preferences are respected even if you can’t articulate them yourself.
But what if you’re navigating through stormier seas? Enter POLST.
It’s not for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, but rather for those closer to life’s final level. This is a medical order, folks, and it packs a punch! It’s as clear as a bell for EMTs and hospitals about what they must do in case of an emergency.
Think of it as your VIP pass, an advanced tool to delineate your wishes with even more precision. If you’re frail or seriously ill, the POLST is your heavy hitter, the superhero that swoops in to save the day when medical emergencies loom large.
The Best Decision Is an Informed One
So, there you have it, folks. POLST and Living Will are two different documents, each with its own purpose and power, yet working together like a perfectly synchronized orchestra.
One takes the lead when immediate, on-the-spot decisions need to be made, and the other stands by to guide overall care. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and voila – you have a comprehensive plan tailored to your specific healthcare needs.
Let’s toast to that!
And, to reassure Fred (and you), there’s no boss battle or time limit here. There’s no right or wrong answer.
Given your health, values, and circumstances, it’s all about what feels right for you. It’s like choosing between different flavors of ice cream – it’s all good, just some are more suited to your palate.
Here we are, dear reader, at the end of our little chat. Fred, our fictional friend, is now less confused and more empowered. And hopefully, you are too.
While dealing with end-of-life decisions can feel like navigating a maze while balancing a spoon on your nose, remember this: you’re not alone. Seek advice. Ask questions. This isn’t about saying ‘game over’ but about taking control of life’s final level.
So, whether you go with a POLST, a Living Will, or a splendid combination of both, you’re making a great decision.
Because the best decision is an informed one.
