Talk about this issue so you can understand your options and so your loved ones understand your desires.

• Get informed: be sure you understand your choices regarding Code status, Living Will, and Durable Power of Attorney for health care.
• Write down your personal end-of-life wishes and discuss them with your family, friends, and physician.
• Complete a Living Will and a Durable Power Attorney for Health Care. Include Code Status designations, if possible in your state. Laws vary from state to state and you can obtain the forms for your state at Living Will Registry.
  
• Discuss Code Status with your physician and every time you visit a hospital be sure your physicians know your wishes.
• Nursing home residents need to know that they have the option of Do Not Resuscitate with comfort care only. The patient (or surrogate decision maker) may also designate Do Not Hospitalize (or Transport) which allows the patient to remain under comfort care in the extended care facility without being moved to a hospital or emergency room. This is a wise choice for many elderly patients because in their last months of life additional measures only prolong their dying and cause unnecessary suffering.