"Aging in America" on HealthSmart

The half-hour program, HealthSmart: Aging in America, broadcast initially on WITF-TV (Public Television; Harrisburg, PA) on November 24, 2010, asks the question: "What does a senior citizen look like in today's world?"

This program's response:  "We all know someone who is over the age of 65 and living life to the fullest."  The program examines the demographic wave of new 65+ citizens, and then considers their lifestyles and challenges.

The HealthSmart series of broadcasts is produced and hosted by Keira McGuire:

WITF's Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominated, in-studio, locally produced 30-minute health show features the medical topics that are on everyone's mind.

Local experts give practical advice on how to beat the odds and live healthier and happier, everyday. And local survivors share their touching stories to help our audience understand various diseases and conditions. 

Intended to appeal to health-conscious viewers, HealthSmart targets anyone who is looking for practical "real life" ways to live healthier every day. The focus of the series is on useful information that can be incorporated into daily life. * * *

This episode about Aging in America highlighted the expanding class of new seniors:

Soon, the first of over 75 million baby boomers will begin to earn senior citizen status.  On the next episode of HealthSmart we'll talk to baby boomers about the future.  Are they planning to slow down?  How can they stay sharp as they age?  What should they know about Medicare? * * *

If you are interested in learning why the "baby boomers" comprise "one generation that seems to be redefining the rules of aging," then watch the program online.  The graphics are pleasing, the hostess is attractive, the factual background is simply presented, the interviews of professionals (like Penn State Professor Melissa Hardy and PA Department of Aging Secretary John Michael Hall) are insightful, and the glimpses into individual lifestyles of new-age seniors are inspiring.

The theme that I derive from the program -- consistent with the Baby Boomer generation's earlier theme sung by Bob Dylan -- could be "The Times They Are a-Changin'.  The program addresses emerging challenges and opportunities, magnified due to the size of the new Senior Class.

The program is now available online for post-broadcast viewing.  The series is underwritten by Capitol Blue Cross.

Come senators, congressmen,
Please heed the call.
Don't stand in the doorway.
Don't block up the hall.
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled . . . .

-- Bob Dylan

in The Times They Are a-Changin'

(January, 1964)

PA Health Department Posts New POLST Form

On November 16, 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Health posted on its website a new standard form for Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), revised 10/14/10. 

The form was listed under the website's Quick Links, but does not appear to be the subject of any press releases or further highlighted bulletins.

The concept and implementation of physician-ordered life-sustaining treatment orders is discussed in detail on the national website of that movement -- POLST.org -- which maintains this paradigm:

The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Paradigm program is designed to improve the quality of care people receive at the end of life. It is based on effective communication of patient wishes, documentation of medical orders on a brightly colored form and a promise by health care professionals to honor these wishes.* * * 

Effective communication between the patient or legally designated decision-maker and health care professionals ensures decisions are sound and based on the patient’s understanding their medical condition, their prognosis, the benefits and burdens of the life-sustaining treatment and their personal goals for care.

The state-by-state implementation map on that website now needs a change.  Pennsylvania should shift from the color grey (no program), to red (endorsed programs).

The Pennsylvania POLST form is explained generally by the Explanation that accompanies it:

Pennsylvania – Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a medical order that gives patients more control over their end-of-life care. The POLST form specifies the types of medical treatment that a patient wishes to receive towards the end of life.

These medical orders are signed by both a patient’s physician, physician’s assistant, or certified registered nurse practitioner and the patient or the patient’s surrogate.

Completion of a POLST form is only a small step in the process of a patient’s decision-making, and it is critical that this form be used as part of a program for end of life decisions that includes educational support and other aspects of planning for providers and patients.
 
This form was developed by the Pa. Department of Health’s Patient Life Sustaining Wishes Committee and was designed to be consistent with Pennsylvania law. There are significant advantages to using a form that contains standardized language and is produced in a distinctive and easily recognizable format. 

In order to maintain continuity throughout Pennsylvania, please follow these printing instructions: 

*** Print POLST form on 110# Pulsar Pink card stock. ***

 
See additional instructions on the POLST form related to completing and using the form.
 
As additional educational materials are developed for the POLST form and for POLST programs in Pennsylvania, they will be added to this introduction.

In recent years, the Department of Health has actively addressed end-of-life issues affecting Pennsylvanians through study groups and reports.  See:

• End of Life Experiences in Pennsylvania -- A Background paper (May, 2005; PDF, 38 pages); and
• Improving End-of-Life Experiences for Pennsylvanians (2006; PDF, 40 pages) -- Report and Recommendations to the Governor by the Task Force for Quality at the End of Life.

A new POLST form for Pennsylvania was contemplated by the most recent study report, End-of-Life Care in Pennsylvania -- Final Report (2007; PDF, 121 pages), which attached as Appendix "F" the POLST form used in Oregon, which has become standardized nationwide.

The new Pennsylvania POLST form is virtually identical, except for layout and explanations, to the sample form contained in the 2007 Final Report.

Administrative issuance of a POLST form for Pennsylvania was authorized by Act No. 169 of 2006, effective January 29, 2007 (replacement Chapter 54 in the PA Probate, Estates & Fiduciaries Code), pursuant to its Section 5548.

The new POLST form is not the same as an Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order authorized by Chapter 54 of the PA  PEF Code (as explained by the PA Department of Health); nor is it, alone, a Health Care Directive under Chapter 54 of the PEF Code (as explained by the Pennsylvania Medical Society).  See: PA HealthCare DecisionMaking website; "Understanding Living Wills and DNR Orders" posted by the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority.  However, a POLST Order could be used in conjunction with both, or either.

End-of-life decision making is a difficult, emotional subject.  On November 8, 2010, an article entitled Facing death: Questions to consider when making medical decisions, by John Luciew, was posted by the Patriot News (Harrisburg, PA).  He addressed this topic using source material from the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Family Health & Wellness website, which had not yet referenced the pending POLST form.

The law and medical privacy rules consider friends and non-married companions less than “real” family.

In order to involve them in one’s own medical decisions, specific legal declarations must be made. These are known as advance health care directives, or simply, advanced directives.

There are two main types: a health care power of attorney and a living will. Most people should consider having both. * * * 

Here are some questions to consider when making advance directives:

• Who would you trust to follow your wishes? Who can make tough choices? Who is willing and able to serve as your health care agent?
• How you would like to be cared for if you can no longer speak for yourself? What life-sustaining treatment and other care you would want at the end of your life?
• What personal wishes and values do you want your health care agent to consider when making decisions about your care?

Perhaps it is the emotional aspects that explain the Department's low-key implementation of the fairly standardized POLST form in Pennsylvania.

Now there is another mechanism through which such medical treatment preferences and directions can be memorialized and then  implemented in Pennsylvania.  It will change the way end-of-life decision making will be conducted.

Updated: 11/19/10:

My friend, Attorney Robert B. Wolf, of Pittsburgh, PA, noted my posting in one of his P&T Hot Tip Emails, which was reposted online by Smithfield Trust Company.

Bob served on the group that prepared the new PA POLST form:

I was privileged to serve on the Patient Life Sustaining Wishes Committee, and to work with leaders in Pennsylvania, such as Dr. Judy Black and Marian Kemp of Highmark and David Barnard, of the University of Pittsburgh in this effort.

He advised further:  "We are currently working on educational materials for healthcare providers, and after that for patients and families."

For a comprehensive list of currently-available POLST resources, see: Resources: Pennsylvania Physician Ordered Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), posted by the University of Pittsburgh's Institute on Aging.

Video: Getting Started in Estate Planning

Forbes' video network online posted, on September 15, 2010, a short segment entitled Estate Planning:  How to Get Started, starring Deborah L. Jacobs, the author of the recently-published book Estate Planning Smarts.

Her advice during the interview impresses the need for personal planning, and urges that this not "be done at home" due to the pitfalls and pain that can result.  Pain avoidance is a real motivator, since "[a]bove all, estate planning is a way to take care of yourself and the people you love."

Her book's website notes that, "[r]egardless of your net worth, a good estate plan should accomplish these essential goals:

• Caring for yourself by authorizing people to handle your affairs if you no longer can because of illness or disability

• Specifying who gets what after you pass away

• Providing for children who are minors or who have special needs.

In my blog posting on September 29, 2010, I noted an article written by Deborah L. Jacobs entitled Do-It-Yourself Wills, a No-No.  I agreed with Deborah that "DYI" should not be an option in personal and estate planning.

However, thorough preparation -- in learning about this area of the law, in listing your personal goals and obstacles, and in summarizing your situation (your holdings & income, versus your debts & commitments) -- is very important.

Pairing a prepared client with a qualified professional should result in a good outcome.