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• . . - . - 1 . Services Available from ADRC Agencies Do Your Research: • Case Management for Find out about support services available to you. BEGIN by contacting the coordination of in -home Hawaii County's Aging and Disability Resource Center, the "ADRC." services WHAT is the ADRC? • Transportation to medical The ADRC, the Aging & Disability Resource Center appointments, grocery , is none- stop -shop which Stores, etc. houses many agencies --- all aimed at helping you live a safe, healthy life. When you call, counselors will discuss your situation with you. They can help you identify your needs and refer you to appropriate service agencies, many of which • Light housekeeping and are part of the ADRC. I I friendly visiting Hilo has the only physical office of the Aging & r� • Meals on Wheels & Disability Resource Center in the State of Congregant Dining Hawaii (the old Sun Sun Lau (lunches) building), however the v «^ "` ADRC and its services • Help with Medicare/ are available island - Medicaid: Got questions? wide. Services can be w _ Confused by all the forms? free, cost -share or private pay, depending Get assistance by calling the on your circumstances ADRC number. and finances. Call 961 -8626. °' • Free legal help for anyone ones are easier to spot. 60 or older, no income Legal Aid Society of Hawaii County and Life Care Center of Hilo Social Services restrictions. Simple wills, powers of attorney and more 1 out more, Aging (assistance is limited to certain h6__ Resource Center, 961-8626 J kinds of cases). Do Your Homework: MAKE YOUR HEALTH WISHES KNOWN Every competent adult has the right to make decisions concerning his or her own health, including the right to choose or refuse medical treatment. But what happens if you become unable to make decisions due to a physical or mental change, such as being in a coma or developing dementia'? If you are over 18, you should have an Advance Health Care Directive because it ensures that your personal medical treatment wishes are followed if you become incapacitated and you can't speak for yourself. it can give instructions to your doctors that you not be kept alive with life- sustaining procedures (for example, with a respirator, kidney dialysis, transplants, or tube feeding). It can also instruct your doctor to do everything possible to keep you alive. An Advance Health Care Directive also allows you to designate a person to make your health care decisions for you (your "agent ") if you cannot. Of course, you should choose your agent with great care. Your agent needs to be able to respect and abide by your instructions. It is wise to have a conversation with your family about this as part of the process of completing this forth. You can always change your agent or revise or revoke your Advance Health Care Directive. . You. RGr4+n 4evk figyxwixgf. I� MY �e, rte. �,u ;: pRECnvECOn7 A " POLST" (Physician Orders for Life- Sustaining Treatment) is a doctor's order based on your wishes. It is intended as end -of -life instructions if you DO NOT WANT extraordinary measures such as resuscitation or tube feeding. You or your agent (appointed in your Advance Health Care Directive) should fill out and sign your POLST and have it v «^ "` reviewed and signed by your own doctor. Once your doctor has signed your POLST, all zz: medical professionals, including emergency responders, must follow it, just like any other doctor's order. ��• POLST forms are bright green so they can be easily noticed by paramedics, ambulance drivers and in -home nurses. Post copies where they will see them, on your refrigerator, in your car, in your purse. If you are in a hospital or long term care facility, a copy should also be in your medical chart. White copies are valid also but the bright green ones are easier to spot. -- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii County and Life Care Center of Hilo Social Services can help you with these forms. Forms and information are also available on -line at kokuamau.org.