Compassion & Choices releases new Dementia Values and Priorities Tool

Compassion & Choices (C&C), an AgeWise Colorado Provider, has released a new interactive resource you can use to document your wishes regarding the dementia-related care you want (or do not want) to create a free addendum to your advance directive. C&C says the updated Dementia Values and Priorities Tool incorporates feedback from supporters, volunteers, community focus groups and clinical experts to address the unique needs people face as dementia progresses. It is “100% confidential” and no longer requires a password or account to access. It also now aligns with the C&C My End-of-Life Decisions: An Advance Planning Guide and Toolkit and POLST/MOLST forms (Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment/Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. In Colorado the form is called MOST, for Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment.) Videos provide information on key terms in plain language. “You can expect a more custom experience with options to skip a question as well as open space to enter additional personal details,” C&C states. “As you explore the tool, you will notice that it encourages you to think about your values and future options, such as hospice.” The Tool will guide you through a series of questions to consider the care you want if diagnosed with dementia. Once complete, you will receive a document outlining those wishes, which you can save or print to keep with your advance directives and share with others. “We hope that this will be a supportive resource for you and your loved ones,” C&C says. The Dementia Values and Priorities Tool can be found on the C&C website under “Resources” at https://www.compassionandchoices.org/resources.