Health Care Planning

Definitions:

Advance Directives: are legal documents which instruct medical professionals about the kind of medical care you desire in the event of a terminal illness, and when you are no longer able to make your wishes known. These include a Living Will and a health care surrogate (or health care power of attorney). A person must be capable of giving informed consent in order to sign an advance directive. (For more information on legal documents please see the legal section of this website.)

Communicate with the Person: is the way health care providers should interact during your visit with your loved one. All too often, the professional will ignore the person with the disability and speak to the person accompanying him/her. If this occurs, do not hesitate to interrupt with a request that all questions and discussion be directed to your loved one, even if that means you must assist with some information.

Continuity of care: is a phrase that says how important it is for all doctors and health care providers to be familiar with a patient's current treatment program and health history. For more information on continuity of care or the other 5 aspects of quality health care see the "Frequently Asked Questions" section, or Click Here.

Durable Power of Attorney: for health care is a particular type of power of attorney that specifies exactly the powers you are giving to the person who holds it. It can include such things as the arrangement for and consent to medical and surgical procedures, including the administration of drugs. This should be completed by an attorney just like a regular power of attorney. It is both more specific and more flexible than naming a health care surrogate. (For more information on power of attorney or any other legal term please see the legal section of this website.)

Empowerment: means to have the knowledge and confidence to act on behalf of yourself or a loved one. For more information on empowerment or other aspects of quality health care see the "Frequently Asked Questions" section, or Click Here.

Gynecological (or gyn) exam: also called a pelvic exam. An exam that is necessary for women to have on a yearly basis. The health care provider does this exam to be sure that a woman's womb (or uterus) is free from disease conditions. A Pap smear (a test for cervical cancer) is usually done during a pelvic exam.

Glaucoma: is a condition where there is increased pressure within the eyes. If it is left untreated, glaucoma will lead to blindness. An eye doctor can perform a simple test to check for the presence of glaucoma.

Health Care Surrogate: allows you to designate another person (spouse, family member, friend) to make decisions for you about medical care, applying for medical benefits, or transferring from one facility to another. The authority of the surrogate only occurs if you become incapacitated, or are otherwise unable to speak for yourself. This designation can be done at the same time that a living will is written, when a person is able to give informed consent..

Informed Consent: It can only be given by an adult, whether he/she has a disability or not, who is considered legally competent. This person can not have a guardian or guardian advocate to whom these rights have been given. Informed consent says that a person understands a medical procedure or treatment, alternative procedures or treatments, and any risks or dangers associated with the proposed procedure or treatment.

Living Will: allows a person to state which medical measures may be withheld in the case of a terminal condition. A typical living will can prevent doctors from using feeding tubes or permanent breathing devices to keep someone alive. A living will must be in writing, signed by you (or if you're physically unable, by a witness attesting to your mark), and by 2 witnesses (one of whom is not a spouse or blood relative), and address situations of terminal illness and life-prolonging procedures.

Mammogram: a low-dose x-ray which can show a lump in a woman's breast, before it is large enough to be felt by the woman or a health professional. This is a test which is used to detect breast cancer in its very early stages, where it is highly curable. As women get older, it is even more important for them to have this test every year.

Medication organizer: also called a "pill holder", is a portable and convenient place to store doses of medicine that the person must take that day. There are several types and sizes of holders.

Medicaid: is the health insurance system for people who have low incomes. In Florida, this is termed being medically needy. Many people with lifelong disabilities are eligible for Medicaid. So are people who have become poor by paying nursing home bills.

Over-the-counter: are the type of medicines which you can buy off the shelf, without a prescription. Often people think these medications don't matter, but it is important for health care providers to know about all over-the-counter medicines that your loved one takes on a regular basis. Sometimes the ingredients in these kinds of medicines act together with a prescription medicine in a way that is not intended or that could be harmful for a particular person.

Personal care: a kind of care usually given in a person's home, which deals with his or her personal needs. This care is provided by an aide or an attendant, and includes help with bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.

Social and Vocational Goals: should be discussed thoroughly with your relative before a doctor's visit, so that these goals can be considered in light of any health care and treatments that the doctor might recommend.

Thyroid: is a very important gland in the human body. It controls the rate of metabolism or how fast the body burns calories and operates. The thyroid also controls how some other important glands and functions work, so it's important to know if it is working properly.

Wheelchair avoidance: is the idea that people with cerebral palsy (or other disabling conditions) receive therapies that encourage and enable them to get around entirely without a wheelchair.

Vaccine: is also called immunization. These medicines are used to prevent people from getting certain infectious or communicable diseases. Many people receive immunizations during childhood, but neglect to keep up their immunity by receiving "boosters" as adults. Many of these illnesses are more severe when they occur in adults. The most common vaccines for which adults should be "up to date" are tetanus & diphtheria, measles, Hepatitis B, and pneumococcal pneumonia.