[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”first_row” module_class=”first_row” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/wp-content\/uploads\/GOCCNJ-RWJF-Grant-Report-Feb-2020.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”GRANT REPORT” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”btn” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#53565A” button_border_color=”#53565A” button_font=”|700|||||||” button_icon=”||fa||900″ button_icon_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.76)” button_icon_placement=”left” button_on_hover=”off” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” custom_css_main_element=”padding: 20px;” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”6px” box_shadow_blur=”12px” button_text_color_hover=”#5c068c” button_bg_color_hover=”#f2f2f2″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_text_color__hover=”#53565A” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_bg_color__hover=”#f2f2f2″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
It is an unprecedented time as healthcare professionals adjust to the rapidly changing landscape created by COVID-19. Hospitals and medical staff are trying to manage the demands created by the influx of patients and shortages of supplies. Nursing home populations and older adults, often with underlying chronic medical conditions, are the highest risk of being affected by COVID-19. Many will get sick, some critically, and many will die.<\/p>\n
Anxiety is common due to the uncertainty as it\u2019s impossible to plan for everything. But, life\u2019s unknowns can be better managed by talking openly, especially about what matters most and what kind of care an individual would want most if he\/she were to become seriously ill with coronavirus. If it isn\u2019t said, they won\u2019t know. Caregivers may need to make decisions, whether they\u2019ve been told what is or what is not wanted. Don\u2019t assume it is known. Open conversations can pave a way to clarity, provide comfort and bring people together.<\/p>\n
All adults should have an advance directive to identify a surrogate decision-maker and provide information about treatments they may or may not want in an emergency. However, for frail elders and patients at risk for a life-threatening clinical event, a POLST (Practitioners Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) form is appropriate.<\/p>\n
POLST is a medical order and directs doctors by providing specific instructions related to a patient\u2019s personal goals of care, artificial nutrition, resuscitation and re-hospitalization. Dr. David Barile, Founder and Medical Director of The Goals of Care Coalition of New Jersey (GOCCNJ) states, \u201cI strongly encourage family decision-makers and authorized healthcare proxies for people living in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities to speak with their loved ones, when possible, to make decisions about future medical care, and to put them in writing.\u201d<\/p>\n
GOCCNJ is helping to educate the elderly, nursing home residents, their loved ones, and their authorized healthcare proxies about the importance of discussing and documenting wishes for medical care in either an advance directive or POLST.<\/strong> Once a month during April 2020, GOCCNJ led daily, 30-minute Zoom webinars. Here is\u00a0a recording of one of these events.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|30%|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0%|||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0%|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Video Text” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]