Living will and POLST are used differently
Making sure your older adult has proper end-of-life documents can be confusing. You’ve probably already heard of a living will. A POLST is a useful, but less well-known document that many caregivers don’t know about.
Even though they both cover end-of-life wishes, a POLST is different from a living will. A POLST is a doctor’s order while a living will is a legal document. That means they’ll be used differently by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and hospital personnel.
Some seniors may want to have both a POLST and a living will to make sure their end-of-life wishes are protected in all situations.
How a POLST works
A POLST is a one page form that focuses only on immediate treatments. It’s best for health emergencies because it’s a medical order signed by a doctor. That means EMTs and hospitals must do what the POLST specifies.
It’s usually recommended for terminally ill or very frail seniors who have made their end-of-life wishes clear.
How a living will works
A living will is a legal document that contains your older adult’s end-of-life preferences. When decisions need to be made about future treatments, a living will guides the health care agent to make choices that honor their wishes.
Because a living will isn’t a medical order, it can’t tell EMTs and hospitals what to do. Even if resuscitation or other end-of-life choices are specified, they can’t be honored. Standard emergency medical protocols must be followed unless a doctor’s orders say otherwise.
Living wills are more useful in non-emergency situations like when someone is in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
How a living will and POLST work together
To make sure your older adult’s wishes will be honored in any situation, they should have both a living will and POLST. Keep them both handy so you can show them to doctors, hospital staff, and EMTs.
Quick facts: POLST vs living will
| POLST | Living Will | |
| Age requirement | For any age | For age 18 and older |
| Who can use it? | Only those who are seriously ill or frail | Anyone regardless of current health |
| How is it used? | To direct immediate medical treatment | To direct future decisions about medical treatments |
| Tells EMTs & hospitals what medical treatments can be used in an emergency | YES | NO |
| Guides patient treatment when staying in a facility or hospital | YES | YES |
| Appoints someone to make health care decisions on your behalf | NO | YES |
You might also like:
— What Is a Living Will and Why Do Seniors Need One?
— Make Sure End-of-Life Wishes Are Honored with a POLST
— 5 Important Legal Documents for Caregivers
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: Pinterest
Petersson
Can someone have a POLST and Living Will?
DailyCaring
Yes, some people may want to have both. It usually depends on their personal wishes for end-of-life care.
Jo
How can we obtain an advance living document?
Can we download it from your site.
Thanks
DailyCaring
Each state has different laws for these types of legal documents. If you’re interested in a POlST, we’ve got more info here about finding the right document for your state: http://dailycaring.com/polst-vs-living-will-what-is-difference/ For a living will / advance directive, see state info here: http://dailycaring.com/what-is-living-will/