What is extraordinary medical care or heroic measures? Click to answer
The goal of this care is to prolong life using available types of treatment. This could be kidney dialysis for kidney failure, tube feeding when swallowing is no longer possible, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the heart stops.
The goal of this care is comfort as death is near. Pain control is a priority and emotional and spiritual support is offered to you and your family and friends.
Source: The information was compiled with permission from Alzheimer Society of Peel (n.d.). Your guidelines to "A journey through care". Mississauga, Ontario: Author.
What is a do not resuscitate (DNR) order? Click to answer
A do not resuscitate (DNR) order is another type of "living will" or advance directive. A DNR is a request not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. Unless informed otherwise, medical staff will perform CPR if a person's heart has stopped or if they have stopped breathing.
You can use an advance directive form or tell your doctor you do not want to be resuscitated. In this case, your doctor puts a DNR order in your medical chart. It is best to do this early, before you are very sick and are considered unable to make your own decisions.
If you are taking life sustaining medication for other conditions, you may also want to talk to your doctor about your preference to continue or discontinue these drugs in the later stages of the disease.
Source: The information was reprinted with additions with permission from Undefined. (n.d.). Advanced Directives and DNR's. In Our Final Journey.