A legal document (such as a Health Care Power of Attorney and/or a Living Will) signed by a competent person to provide guidance for medical and health care decisions (such as the termination of life support or organ donation) in the event the person is incapacitated or becomes incompetent to make such decisions.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
Occurs when one or more health conditions become serious enough that general health, functioning decline, and treatments begin to lose their impact. This is a process that continues to the end of life.
— © 2023 American Hospital Association
The donation of the whole body to medical or scientific research. Once donated, the body may be used for surgical training, scientific research, and anatomy lessons for medical students, promoting the advancement of medical science.
(See also, Body Donation or Organ Donation)
— © 2023 Funeral Basics
An antibacterial substance (such as penicillin, cephalosporin, and ciprofloxacin) used to treat or prevent infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria in or on the body, that is administered orally, topically, or by injection, and that is isolated from cultures of certain microorganisms (such as fungi) or is of semi-synthetic or synthetic origin.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
A treatment intervention that provides water and salt to someone who is too sick to drink enough on their own or who has problems swallowing.
Artificial hydration is given through:
* an IV in a vein or under the skin,
* a tube placed through the nose into the stomach, or
* a tube placed by surgery through the skin into the stomach or intestines.
— © 2014 Coalition for Compassionate Care of California
A treatment intervention that delivers nutrition into the body by means other than a person taking something in his/her mouth and swallowing it.
Artificial nutrition is broadly given in two (2) ways:
* through a tube placed in the gastrointestinal tract (entreal) or
* via catheter (parenteral).
(See also, Feeding Tube)
— © 2014 American Hospice Foundation
The rhythmic forcing of air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing has stopped, is failing, or is inadequate.
(See also, Artificial Ventilation or Mechanical Ventilation)
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
The rhythmic forcing of air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing has stopped, is failing, or is inadequate.
(See also, Artificial Respiration or Mechanical Ventilation)
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
The state of suffering the loss of something or the death of someone.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
The donation of the whole body to medical or scientific research. Once donated, the body may be used for surgical training, scientific research, and anatomy lessons for medical students, promoting the advancement of medical science.
(See also, Anatomical Donation to Science or Organ Donation)
— © 2023 Funeral Basics
A very small tubular medical device inserted into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities, usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids, or to keep a passage open.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
A life-saving technique used in emergencies, such as a heart attack or near drowning, where someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It is designed to restore a person’s normal breathing and heartbeat that includes the:
* clearance of air passages to the lungs,
* mouth-to-mouth method of artificial respiration, and
* heart massage by the exertion of pressure on the chest.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster & © 2022 Mayo Clinic
A form of care to provide relief from any immediate symptoms of pain and other forms of support for patients who are close to death and stopped treatment for their illness. This form of care helps patients stay as comfortable as possible. Comfort care can include the follwing support/care for patients and their families:
*Spritual support
*Emotional support
*Physical support
*Hospice care
*Palliative care
— © 2025 NIH National Cancer Institute & © 2015 NEJM, Blinderman et al
A person (usually the patient and/or caregivers) who gives their informed, uncoerced approval or persmission for something such as medical treatments, procedures, or sharing sensitive information.
— © 2025 Merriam-Webster, American Heritage Dictionary
Therapeutic treatment for patients with the goal to treat or cure an illness or condition.
— © 2025 CaringInfo
A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), an ischemic stroke or “ brain attack,” is a sudden loss of brain function resulting from a disruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain. Cerebrovascular accident or stroke is the primary cerebrovascular disorder in the United States.
A person who is no longer living or a deceased person.
— © 2025 Merriam-Webster
A medical order that allows a patient–or health care agent on their behalf–to refuse cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts, in two situations: if the patient stops breathing or the patient’s heart stops. A DNR only applies to the decision to withhold CPR: it does not apply to other life-sustaining treatments.
Note:
Even with a DNR, a patient may still receive medical treatments, medicines, surgeries, and procedures. DNR forms should posted prominently in the patient’s place of residence, typically on the refrigerator, for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). In the absence of a DNR signed by a physician, EMS will be legally obligated to perform CPR, if the patient has stopped breathing or if the patient’s heart has stopped.
A DNR form must be obtained from and signed by a physician.
A legal document that allows a patient to appoint another person to handle their financial, legal, and/or medical matters on their behalf if the patient is incapacitated. This document remains in effect until the patient who authorized the Durable POA dies or until the document is revoked.
— © 2025 NIH National Cancer Institute; Cornell Law – Legal Information Institute
The total property, real and personal, owned by an individual prior to distribution passed on through a trust or will.
— © 2025 Cornell Law – Legal Information Institute
A treatment intervention that delivers nutrition into the body by means other than a person taking something in his/her mouth and swallowing it.
Artificial nutrition is broadly given in two (2) ways:
* through a tube placed in the gastrointestinal tract (entreal) or
* via catheter (parenteral).
(See also, Artificial Nutrition)
— © 2014 American Hospice Foundation
A legal document that allows a patient to appoint a trusted person or health care agent to make medical decisions on their behalf if the patient is incapacitated and cannot communicate their wishes.
A person that you allow to make decisions for you if you are unable to in situations related to medical care.
— © 2025 WebMD, “What is a Health Care Agent?”
A health care directive is a written legal document that sets out how a person should be cared for in case of an emergency or incapacity . It indicates a person’s preferences for medical care when they are unable to make decisions for themselves to ensure that the individual’s medical preferences are respected.
— © 2025 Cornell Law – Legal Information Institute
Medical care for people who are expected to live for six months or less. This kind of support is typically provided at the person’s home or current residence (i.e. assisted community living, nursing home).
— © 2024 Hospice Foundation of America
A medical procedure that is used when a patient cannot breathe. Healthcare providers use a larynscope to guide the tube into the mouth or nose until it reaches the trachea. The tube helps create an airway to get air to the lungs.
— © 2025 Cleveland Clinic
Known as intravenous fluids, these are formulated liquid solutions that are administered directly into a patient’s veins to prevent or treat dehydration. This treatment is given to patients who are sick, injured, dehydrated, or undergoing surgery.
— © 2025 Cleveland Clinic
This is a legally prepared and bound document that states your intentions for how your wealth and assets must be distributed after your death. This legal document ensures that your assets and wealth have protection, including the loved ones you’ve listed for the distribution.
— © 2025 Trust&Will, Doug Luftman
This is treatment that is medical interventions used when a patient’s biological functions can no longer maintain themselves. This is also known as “life support.” Life-sustaining treatment could include artificial ventilation to support breathing, medications to stimulate heart function, dialysis to support failing kidneys, and artificial nutrition and hydration for those who cannot swallow. On advanced directive forms, this could be applied in scenarios when a person is permanently unconcious or terminally ill. The person can clarify on the directive if they would like life-sustaining care.
— © 2025 Compassion and Choices
A living will is a type of advance directive that documents a person’s wishes regarding medical treatments if they become incapacitated and unable to communicate.
— © 2025 MedlinePlus
The rhythmic forcing of air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing has stopped, is failing, or is inadequate.
(See also, Artificial Respiration or Artificial Ventilation)
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
A licensed physician who diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases. In end-of-life care, MDs oversee palliative or hospice care.
— © 2025 National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Treatments or procedures used to prolong life or improve health. Includes CPR, ventilation, dialysis,
etc.
— © 2025 CaringInfo, Advance Care Planning
Artificial nutrition and hydration via feeding tube or IV. Patients can accept or decline this when they cannot eat or drink.
— © 2025 National Institute on Aging (NIA)
A general term for healthcare providers like doctors, nurses, and PAs who deliver care and assist with advance directives.
— © 2025 Merriam-Webster
A medical order that allows a patient–or health care agent on their behalf–to set forth his or her health care and end-of-life care instructions when faced with a life-threatening medical condition. MOST forms should posted prominently in the patient’s place of residence, typically on the refrigerator, for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
A MOST form provides guidance on whether the following treatments should or should not be administered:
– Antibiotics
– Artificial hydration and nutrition
– CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
– Medical interventions (mechanical breathing, intubation)
A MOST form must be obtained from and signed by a physician.
