An end-of-life plan is an important tool to ensure your wishes are understood by your loved ones and followed by health care providers in the event of a medical emergency or life-limiting illness. The resources below can help you make informed decisions and will guide you to the documents you may consider arranging in the event where you can no longer make or communicate health care decisions.
Although it may be uncomfortable to think about...
Making Plans for End-of-Life Care
The Connecticut Coalition to Improve End-of-Life Care has generated a comprehensive guide offering basic information to help individuals make informed choices about end-of-life care for themselves and their loved ones. It also answers eleven of the most commonly asked questions as follows:
- Beginning the Conversation
- Rights and Choices
- Making Decisions
- Pain Management
- Talking with Health Care Professionals
- Talking with the Dying Person
- Physical Changes when Death is Near
- Spirituality at the End-of-Life
- Comforting the Dying
- Comforting the Grieving
- Talking with Children
Additionally, the Conversation Project has developed the Starter Kit, which is a useful tool to help you have the conversation with a family member, friend, or other loved one about your – or their – wishes regarding end-of-life care. It is available in several languages. All of the Starter Kits are available to download and print for free. Find the online Starter Kit here.
Advance Health Care Directives are important legal documents that gives direction to medical care providers if an individual can not make or communicate health care decisions. Learn more about Advanced Health Care Directives on the Legal Rights page.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice and Palliative Care
Hospice and Palliative care use a holistic approach to improve the quality of life and comfort of an individual with an illness.
