Melissa Cook explains her decision for one Advanced Dementia condition. (1:20)
Demonstrates how a person explains her choices on her Living Will video, so others can learn and understand her wishes and avoid future conflicts.
Demonstrates how a person explains her choices on her Living Will video, so others can learn and understand her wishes and avoid future conflicts.
An introduction to the “Ironclad Strategy,” which is designed so you can have CONFIDENCE that others will honor your specific end–of–life wishes.
A video for paramedics and emergency physicians. You may also want this clinical option–if you suffer from osteoporosis and heart rhythm problems.
1. “My spouse knows what I want.”
When “that time comes, “the person you trust now may not be willing, or available, or able to convince the opposition to honor your wishes (without your clear expression of your specific wishes).
2. “I already have a Living Will.”
Most Living Wills are NOT effective for Advanced Dementia. To be certain your future physician will provide the most aggressive treatment to relieve pain and suffering (if needed), you need to sign another form. Few people know they can have TWO Living Wills.
3. “I am at peace with my choice for DNR (Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate).”
Many people are not informed that they might survive an arrest but still avoid chest compressions; or that having a DNR order puts them at risk for being denied treatments they DO want; or that Living Wills put them at risk for not receiving resuscitation that they may still want.
Stanley A. Terman, Ph.D., M.D., founded this non-profit organization in 2000 and is its current CEO and Medical Director.
A recorded opinion may silence anyone in the future who claims you did not really know what decisions you were making, especially if you had memory problems or were on pain meds.
June 18, 2014 presentation by Dr. Terman, to the San Diego Dementia Consortium.
Dr. Terman not only advised my mother about her end-of-life options, he also made her feel secure that she would not have to opt for premature dying to avoid getting stuck in a miserable state like dementia or stroke, in which she could no longer ask for treatment to stop. He called this the “Ironclad Strategy.” I’ll never forget how peaceful I felt as the three of us were “together” as Mom died. I was by her side, holding the phone that now connected my sister to Mom. Without Dr. Terman’s help, I doubt my sister would have ever have been able to make peace with Mom or feel peace with herself after Mom died. She has. We both have. My mother was able to die peacefully in her own bed with the undivided attention of her two closest relatives—her daughters. Who would not want that? I am so grateful that I fortunately found Dr. Terman to help us all attain a peaceful transition.
–Ellen C. from Pasadena
