The Five Wishes

Wish 1: The person I want to make care decisions for me when I can't.

This assigns a health-care agent (also called a proxy, a surrogate, a representative, or a health-care power of attorney). This person makes medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to speak for yourself.

Wish 2: The kind of medical treatment I want or don't want.

This is a living will - what life- support treatment means to you, as well as when you would and would not want it.

Wish 3: How comfortable do I want to be.

This addresses matters of comfort care: - what type of pain management, personal grooming, and bathing instructions, and whether you would like to know about options for hospice care.

Wish 4: How I want people to treat me.

This speaks to personal matters, such as whether you would like to be at home and whether you would like someone to pray at your bedside, among others.

Wish 5: What I want my loved ones to know.

This deals with matters of forgiveness, how you wish to be remembered, and final wishes regarding funeral or memorial plans.

SOURCE: NHDD.orgEndText