Quality of life
The issues of life support, nutritional and hydration devices as well as respiratory assistance are difficult, yet important topics for people with ALS to discuss with their families.
The personal choices of people with ALS must be taken into consideration first. Physicians and nurses are available to discuss the various options people with ALS have.
Information about "advance directives," such as living wills and durable power of attorney for health care can also be provided.
- The living will exercises a patient's right to refuse or accept medical treatment that artificially prolongs his/her life. A Living Will is a legal document used to specify the health care you would like to receive under certain circumstances. A Living Will does not do the same thing as a Will and does not take its place.
- Complete estate plans include both a Will and a Living Will. Confusion is created by using the word "Will" in "Living Will," and for that reason many states now use the term "Health Care Directive" or "Advanced Health Care Directive" An Advanced Health Care Directive does the same thing as a Living Will. Depending on which state you live in, one term will be more common than the other.
- The durable power of attorney for health care is the right of patients to appoint another person to speak for them if they become incapable of expressing their medical treatment preference. An attorney should devise this document so that it conforms with state laws and court precedents.
~Best viewed with a positive attitude~