Health Care Proxies and End of Life Care

When faced with difficult end-of life care decisions, families and physicians sort through many issues — legal, ethical, medical and more. These resources can help families sort through their options.

• MOLST- Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
  Standardized forms and resources for physicians, hospitals and nursing homes to discuss, document  and communicate treatment decisions of a patient at the end of life.

• Massachusetts Health Care Proxy Information and Forms
  Health care proxies are legal documents, recognized in all 50 states, through which an agent or surrogate acts on behalf of the incapacitated patient to make treatment decisions.
• Important Differences Between Health Care Proxies and Living Wills
  Massachusetts law regarding health care proxies and living wills.
• Facing End-of-Life Issues
  Information about the different types of advance directives.
• American Association of Retired Persons
  Provides information on advance directives and includes information on where the AARP stands on end-of-life issues. Links to other sites are also provided.
• Partnership for Caring
  Many useful resources, including forms for each state and a number of links to other sites. There is a detailed description of many issues relating to end-of-life decisions, from euthanasia to health care proxies. Publications and videotapes can also be ordered from this site.
• Growth House, Inc.
  A gateway to resources for life-threatening illness and end-of-life care
• Hospice Federation of Massachusetts
  Information on hospice care, decision-making tools, and a hospice locator
• On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying
  Provides end-of-life tools, resources, and care options. Learn about solutions for finding a better death and explore the options for humane care for the dying.