DNR Vs Advance Directive

Making the decision about what happens if you cannot make decisions for yourself is never easy, but it is an important one to make. There are two main ways to handle this: a Do Not Resuscitate order (DNR) and an Advance Directive. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.

In this personal finance guide, we will compare and contrast DNR orders and Advance Directives, so that you can make the best decision for your own finances.

What is a Do Not Resuscitate Order?

A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) is a legal document that instructs medical personnel not to resuscitate a person in the event that their heart stops or they stop breathing. This means that if you have a DNR order in place, paramedics will not provide CPR or other life-saving measures if you suffer from cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

DNR orders are generally put in place by people who have a terminal illness or those who are very sick and do not want to receive CPR or other life-saving measures. It is important to note that DNR orders only apply in situations where there is no chance of the person surviving – for example, if someone has a DNR order and they suffer from a heart attack, they will still receive CPR and other life-saving measures.

What is an Advance Directive?

An advance directive is a legal document that allows you to state your wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that you are unable to make decisions for yourself. This can include things like whether or not you want to be resuscitated if your heart stops, or what kind of pain management you would prefer.

Advance directives are an important part of personal finance because they can help to ensure that your wishes are carried out, even if you are unable to communicate them yourself.

What is The Difference Between a Do Not Resuscitate Order and an Advance Directive?

The two documents are very similar in that they both state your wishes regarding medical care and treatment. However, there are some key differences between the two.

A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) is a specific document that instructs medical staff not to provide CPR if you go into cardiac arrest. An Advance Directive, on the other hand, is a more general document that can cover a range of different medical decisions.

What Are The Different Types of Do Not Resuscitate Orders?

There are different types of Do Not Resuscitate orders, each with their own set of benefits and drawbacks.

The most common Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-CC (Do Not Resuscitate- Comfort Care)

The most common type of Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-CC (Do Not Resuscitate- Comfort Care) order. This type of order allows medical professionals to provide comfort care measures, such as pain relief, to the patient while they are dying but withholds resuscitation measures, such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

The main advantage of a DNR-CC order is that it allows the patient to die with dignity, without the potentially painful and traumatic experience of CPR. The main disadvantage is that it does not give the patient the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes and they are able to be resuscitated.

Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-AR (Do Not Resuscitate- Allow Natural Death)

Another type of Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-AR (Do Not Resuscitate- Allow Natural Death) order. This type of order allows medical professionals to provide comfort care measures and withhold resuscitation measures but also permits the patient to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes and they are able to be resuscitated.

The main advantage of a DNR-AR order is that it gives the patient the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes. The main disadvantage is that it does not guarantee that the patient will die with dignity, as they may still experience the potentially painful and traumatic experience of CPR.

Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-PR (Do Not Resuscitate- Pain Relief Only)

The third type of Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-PR (Do Not Resuscitate- Pain Relief Only) order. This type of order allows medical professionals to provide comfort care measures, such as pain relief, to the patient while they are dying but withholds resuscitation measures, such as CPR.

The main advantage of a DNR-PR order is that it allows the patient to receive pain relief while they are dying. The main disadvantage is that it does not give the patient the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes and they are able to be resuscitated.

What Are The Different Types of Advance Directive?

There are two different types of Advance Directive:

Living Will

A living will is a written document that states your wishes regarding medical treatment if you become incapacitated and are unable to communicate your decisions.

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

A durable power of attorney for healthcare gives someone else the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself.

What Are The Advantages of a Do Not Resuscitate Orders?

The main advantage of a Do Not Resuscitate Order is that it gives you peace of mind knowing that you will not be resuscitated if your health deteriorates. This can be particularly important for people who are in poor health and do not want to be revived.

Another advantage is that it can give your family and friends peace of mind knowing that they will not have to make the decision to resuscitate you.

What Are The Advantages of an Advance Directive?

An advance directive can be a powerful tool to ensure that your wishes are followed in the event that you are unable to communicate them yourself. An advance directive can also help to avoid any conflict or confusion among your loved ones about what you would want in a medical emergency.

Some of the advantages of having an advance directive include:

• You can choose your own medical treatment and care.
• You can avoid unwanted or unnecessary medical interventions.
• You can make your wishes known in advance so that there is no confusion or disagreement among your loved ones about what you would want in a medical emergency.

What Are The Disadvantages of a Do Not Resuscitate Orders?

There are a few key disadvantages of Do Not Resuscitate Orders that you should be aware of before making your decision.

First and foremost, if your health deteriorates suddenly and you are unable to communicate your wishes to medical staff, a Do Not Resuscitate Order may mean that life-saving treatment is withheld from you.

Secondly, some people feel that having a Do Not Resuscitate Order in place takes away their control over their own health and wellbeing, as it effectively gives medical staff the authority to make decisions about your care without consulting you or your family first.

Finally, some people worry that if they have a Do Not Resuscitate Order in place, they may be denied access to certain medical treatments or procedures, as some hospitals and clinics have strict policies in place regarding resuscitation.

If you are considering a Do Not Resuscitate Order, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons carefully before making your decision. Speak to your doctor about your options, and make sure that you understand all of the implications of having a Do Not Resuscitate Order in place.

What Are The Disadvantages of Advance Directive?

Advance directives can be a great way to ensure your wishes are carried out, but there are also some potential disadvantages to consider.

One is that advance directives can be contested by family members or others who may feel they know what's best for you. Additionally, if your health situation changes and you no longer meet the criteria for an advance directive, it may not be honored.

Another potential downside to advance directives is that they can be difficult to revoke if you change your mind about your end-of-life care wishes. Once an advance directive is in place, it can be very hard to get it changed or removed. This can be a particular problem if you have a terminal illness and your health deteriorates quickly.

Finally, advance directives can be a source of stress for both you and your loved ones. Thinking about and planning for your own death is not easy, and it can be hard to talk about your wishes with others. However, it's important to have these conversations so that everyone knows what to expect if something happens to you.

So, Which One Should You Use?

If you are confused about which one of these directives to use, then you should speak with your doctor. They will be able to help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each option and help you make the best decision for your individual situation.

However, as a general rule, an advance directive is a better option than a DNR order because it gives you more control over your medical care and allows you to make decisions about other aspects of your health care, such as pain management.

If you are interested in learning more about personal finance and how to make the best decisions for your money, check out our blog. We have a wealth of articles that can help you get started on the right foot.

What Are Some Alternatives to Using a Do Not Resuscitate Orders or an Advance Directive?

Some people may feel like they do not want to use a Do Not Resuscitate Order or an Advance Directive because they do not want to limit their medical treatment options. If this is the case, there are some alternatives that can be considered. These include:

• A living will
• A POLST form
• Make an advance directive with your doctor
• Asking a family member or friend to be your health care surrogate

Each of these options has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before making a decision. It is important to talk to your doctor about all of your treatment options so that you can make the best decision for yourself.

What Are Some Tips For Using a Do Not Resuscitate Orders?

Some tips for using a Do Not Resuscitate Orders include:

• Make sure that the order is in place well before it is needed
• Keeping a copy of the order on you at all times, either in your wallet or on a bracelet
• Informing your family, friends, and doctor about your decision
• Make sure that emergency personnel are aware of your order

What Are Some Tips For Using an Advance Directive?

Some tips for using an advance directive include:

• Make sure that you have discussed your wishes with your family, friends, and health care proxy
• Putting your directive in writing and making sure it is signed and dated
• Giving copies of your directive to your health care proxy, physician, hospital, and nursing home
• Reviewing your directive periodically and updating it if necessary