Our vision of the advance care planning process will ensure person-centered care so every individual’s health care choices are clearly defined and honored.
What is Advance Care Planning?
A process for you to have a conversation with your family and provider to discuss goals for future health care decisions in the context of your values and beliefs.
An advance directive is a legal document that captures your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment. It states your preferences and will also prepare your health care agent to make health care decisions consistent with your wishes.
Advance directives/living wills can be changed at any time.
What is a Health Care Agent?
In the advance care planning process you will choose a health care agent; known as a durable power of attorney for medical decisions. Your health care agent will be called on to make health care decisions for you if you were unable to speak for yourself.
A well-prepared health care agent is engaged in your process of advanced care planning so they may know and understand your wishes from you directly.
Honoring Your Wishes
Sioux Center Health is promoting this advance directive as a way for individuals to start the conversation with their loved ones. It ensures your family will know what your wishes are in regard to your health care decisions at the end of life.
Breathing Support Facts
CPR Facts
Long Term Feeding Facts
IPOST
IPOST stands for Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment. This legal document is completed in the 3rd stage of advance care planning.
IPOST is a document that lists your choices on life-sustaining treatment such as CPR, artificial nutrition, breathing options, and medical care.
3 Stages in Advance Care Planning
- First Step: Create an advance directive that identifies a health care agent and goals for end-of-life care. Recommended for healthy adults or those beginning the advance care planning process.
- Second Step: Identify goals of care related to specific complications resulting from a chronic condition. Recommended for individuals who have received a new diagnosis, suffer from a chronic illness, and/or are frequently hospitalized.
- Last Step: Identify goals of care expressed as medical orders using the IPOST document. Recommended for individuals with a life-limiting illness, the frail, and the elderly.
Contact the Advance Care Planning Team
Contact the Social Services Department at Sioux Center Health at (712) 722-8378