Life.
“Well, a younger adult has a lot of life before them… their dreams and everything
else. An elderly person has pretty much… lived her life… I feel I have lived my life,
I'm old enough now it doesn't… really matter, you know. I want health of course…
but if I die… it's not that big a thing.” (1)
Who is in charge of your end of life wishes?
Yourself, caregiver, physician…
What are your wishes?
Do you have a strategy in place?
Welcome to the 21st century.
Wishes
Kids dream about being the next top professional ball player,
president, doctor, or engineer. End of life decisions are not on
the minds of most people. As a person turns 50 and 60 it’s still
in their mindset that they have 20 or 30 years to ahead of
them to do anything. By the time they are 90 everything is
slower and life isn’t as much fun.
Sharing with loved ones early enough will reduce the burden
put on them in tough situations that need immediate actions.
Strategy
Most people are afraid, in a hurry, don’t understand legal
jargon, or feel invisible to discuss end of life decisions.
Perhaps, people only think about medical treatments as
being elderly based on age and not having lived a ‘full life’.
One simple change to help eliminate this problem is to
change societies perception. Its been shown that the US
reads on an 8th grade level, perhaps legal jargon is one of the
biggest roadblocks.
21st Century
Since 2000, both President Clinton and Obama have
opened the doors of healthcare in the US to be more
efficient. The adoption of Electronic Signatures and
Electronic Medial records has proven to be more efficent
and effective. Office-based physicians who use electronic
records has risen over 35% to 57% in 2011 (2). 80% of US
internet users look online for health information (3). About
40% of mobile device users use medical apps at least once
a week for information (4).
Are paper forms a thing of the past.
Well, #1 professionally my doctor… I would trust him… forever, and my
husband for what would be best for me… my doctor would use his head
and my husband would use his heart (1).
LifeDocs
LifeDocs offers real time electronic
signing of the patient/caregiver and
physician. Share with loved ones the
ability to view and comment on your
wishes. Update your strategy plan
overtime. Transfer your POLST and
advance directives to your connected
medical offices. All data is securely
protected. Download a soft copy to
print of your POLST and additional wish
notes.
LifeDocs
About
Information
Share your wishes today.
Uncomfortable bringing up the topic.
If sharing heartache stores at the dinner table or coffee
shop is hard, sending an informational email or text
message may help break the ice.
ePOLST
Electronic Signature.
Sign the document anytime.
Find the form from your state
Share.
Allow loved ones to
view your strategy.
Strategy.
Your strategy will
change over time,
update it as needed.
Transfer.
One click and your
physician has it.
Security.
All data is securely
protected.
Download.
Soft copies are available
For download anytime
Setting up a strategic plan only takes a
few minutes.
Strategy.
Inform the medical team your wishes early so
they can provide the appropriate treatment.
LifeDocs
LifeDocs is the center point for all end of life decisions. Among its main focus of
documentation it provides support tips, frequently asked questions, and videos.
LifeDocs allows the end of life individual, caregivers, loved ones, and physicians a
central location to first and foremost focus on the health of the individual and
recommendations to help fulfill the individuals wishes with specific treatments.
Through email/text notifications physicians can electronically sign updated
patient documents on their mobile devices, tablets, or computers.
LifeDocs allows the individual to transfer documents through HL7 connected
medical offices, eliminating the need to have a paper form on hand 24/7.
LifeDocs functions as a stand alone system, integration with HL7 documents, or
could be imbedded in EMR/EHR systems.
Appendix
(1) End-Of-Life Decision Making A Qualitative Study of Elderly Individuals. Sep 2000.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1495587/
(2) Electronic Health Record Systems and Intent to Apply for Meaningful Use Incentives Among Office-based Physician
Practices: United States, 2001–2011 http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/HealthTopics/Part-4.aspx
(3) Health Topics Feb 1, 2011
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/HealthTopics/Part-4.aspx
(4) Mobile Apps: Models, Money and Loyalty Fri, Sep 25, 2009
http://blog.flurry.com/bid/26376/Mobile-Apps-Models-Money-and-Loyalty
Different.