PROCEDURES FOR A PLANNED HOME DEATH
Dying persons have the right to choose to die at home, surrounded by their loved ones. Individuals and their families, whose choice is a planned home death can expect that their wishes will be respected, and they will receive support and coordinated care.
A planned home death is a situation where an individual has chosen to die at home, and the death is expected and deterioration to death occurs in its anticipated sequence.
Decision making for a planned home death should be a collaborative process giving primary consideration to what is in the best interest of the patient and family and involving the patient/family, family physician, nursing personnel and others as needed.
DISCUSS option of in-home death with your physician.
MAKE A PLAN with your family physician so you are clear about what will happen and family/friends will know what to do at the time of death.
YOUR PLAN WILL INCLUDE:
Who will pronounce the death?
How your physician can be reached?
What alternative arrangements have been made should your physician be unavailable and can not be reached?
Patients wishes should be clarified by signing a NO CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) form
Which funeral home should be called to transport the deceased?
MAKE PREARRANGEMENTS WITH A FUNERAL HOME
Such arrangements will normally involve selecting the funeral home and making plans with the funeral director for transportation of the deceased after death and the options available for final disposition.
COMMUNICATE IN WRITING YOUR PLAN TO FAMILY, FRIENDS and others such as your spiritual advisor so they may support your decisions and respect your wishes.
PLANNED HOME DEATHS ARE ANTICIPATED EVENTS.
WHEN THE DEATH OCCURS …
DO NOT CALL 911, the ambulance, police or fire department.
CALL family, friends and the spritual advisor you would like to have present.
CALL the physician to pronounce death. If your physician cannot be reached, call the backup physician or registered nurse.
CALL the funeral home when your are ready. Each death is different. It can be a time of crises or relative calm. It is not necessary to call immediately. Take time to call the relatives and friends you want to be with you. Once the physician or other authorized person has been to your home and pronounced the death, and you feel ready, call the funeral home you have selected and arrange for the transfer.
There are communities in British Columbia without physicians who live in the community and without a funeral home.It is essential that these situations be discussed by the patient, family and physician and an appropriate plan suitable for the community be made in advance.
Complete information can be obtained by requesting a copy of “Joint Protocol for Expected / Planned Home Deaths in British Columbia.” Included in the Protocol is a form, Notification of Expected Death In The Home, that is to be completed by the Physcian with a copy being forwarded to the funeral home.
