Life Choices
RESOURCES
Life Choices: Page 35 of 36
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Resources: Terms
End of life issues Glossary
- Advance directive:
- A written document that states a person's wishes regarding his or her medical care when the person is incapacitated or cannot communicate.
- Artificial nutrition, hydration:
- Nutrition and fluids delivered through a feeding tube or intravenous line.
- Attorney in fact:
- A person appointed by another individual to act or make decisions on his or her behalf. This term, when used on the Missouri driver's license, is synonymous with durable power of attorney for health care choices.
- Beneficiary deed:
- A document stating to whom a person's principal residence will pass upon death.
- Conservator:
- A person appointed by a court to manage the financial resources of an individual who is unable to do so himself or herself.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR):
- A medical procedure performed when a person's heart or lungs stop that usually includes chest compressions, the administration of drugs or electric shock to restore the heartbeat, and a tube placed in the windpipe for breathing.
- Durable power of attorney:
- A document that states an individual gives another person authority to manage his or her business or financial affairs, even if the individual granting the authority becomes disabled, incapacitated or unable to communicate.
- Durable power of attorney for health care choices:
- A document in which a person appoints another individual to make health care decisions for him or her when the person granting this authority becomes incapacitated or unable to communicate.
- Guardian:
- A person appointed by a court to take care of the personal needs of a person who is unable to do so himself or herself.
- Health care agent:
- A person appointed by another individual to make health care decisions for him or her when the individual is incapacitated or unable to communicate.
- Heath care choices directive:
- A document designed to communicate a person's wishes regarding life-sustaining medical treatment when the person is incapacitated or unable to communicate.
- Hospice care:
- A philosophy of care that focuses on relieving the symptoms of a person who is dying rather than trying to cure them, with care provided by a team of medical care providers, counselors and volunteers.
- Living trust:
- A document naming a trustee and beneficiary of property that is used during a person's lifetime and upon death.
- Living will:
- A document that instructs health care providers to withhold or withdraw medical treatment under certain circumstances when a person is near death.
- Organ donation:
- The giving of one's organs, tissue or eyes to an organization that in turn provides the organs to individuals who need a transplant.
- Personal custodian:
- A person designated by another individual to care for his or her personal property and real estate even if the individual who granted this authority becomes incapacitated.
- Personal representative for will:
- A person named in a will to administer the estate of the maker of the will.
- Power of attorney:
- A document stating an individual has the authority to act on behalf of another person in regard to financial or business affairs.
- Probate court:
- A court that has jurisdiction over wills and distribution of property and assets of people who are deceased.
- Respirator/ventilator:
- A machine that moves air in and out of the lungs for a person who is unable to breathe naturally.
- Self-proving will:
- A will signed by two witnesses and notarized that includes specific wording defined by state law.
- Will:
- A document stating how a person wants his or her property and cash assets distributed and who should be the guardian of his or her minor children upon the person's death.
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