About this topic
As the patient, you have choices about the type and amount of care you want. It can be hard to understand how each type of care can affect your life and how long you will live. You, your family, and doctor will look at things like: ‚
- Will the treatment ease your pain?
- Will the treatment help the quality of your life?
- Does the treatment change your outcome?
- Is there hope for getting better?
By answering these questions and learning what is important to you, your doctor will be able to help you and your family make the best choice. Advance directives and living wills can guide your family as to the type of care you would want if you are not able to speak for yourself. ‚
General
Some types of care are designed to be life enhancing. This means they try to make your life better and help you to feel better. It may or may not be used to keep you alive longer. Some types of life enhancing care are things like: ‚
- Drugs for pain or an upset stomach
- Palliative care to help you throughout a long illness. This may include help with physical signs and the physical and mental stress that goes along with being sick.
- Hospice care at the end of a terminal illness. This may include things like help with bathing, helping you to rest more comfortably, food, or fluids.
Some types of care are life sustaining or life supporting. You need this type of care if one or more parts of your body are failing. This type of care may help keep you alive longer. Sometimes it is used even if your illness cant be cured. Some types of life sustaining care are things like: ‚
- Dialysis if your kidneys are not working
- Tube feeding if you are not able to eat or take in enough calories on your own
- Drugs to help with blood pressure and heart rate
- Breathing machine or respirator
- CPR or a shock to start your heart when it has stopped beating
When do I need to call the doctor?
- If you have questions about whether a treatment is life enhancing or life sustaining
- You do not want to do a certain treatment
- You want to stop some kind of treatment
- You need help with an advance directive
Where can I learn more?
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization ‚
http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3285 ‚
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization ‚
http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3355 ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-12-09 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚