What are advance directives in hospice services?

Advance directives can be made at any time, by anyone whether they are healthy or chronically ill. The point of a living will is that one's desires and wishes are followed at the end of their life. Many times in hospice we see family members that are having a difficult time letting go of their loved one. It helps caregivers make difficult decisions if they know what the patient's feelings are on aggressive treatment at the end of life (many times disease makes it impossible for the patient to communicate these wishes during the final stages of disease). One of the most common advanced directives we see in hospice is a DNR (Do not resuscitate). This allows those who are chronically ill to die a natural death, hopefully pain free; and at peace- without aggressive measures including CPR and ventilator support.