WHAT IS A DNR AND WHY WOULD SENIORS WANT ONE?

What is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order?

A DNR is a signed medical order written by a doctor.

DNR stands for Do Not Resuscitate and tells health care providers and emergency medical personnel not to do CPR on your older adult if they stop breathing or if their heart stops beating.

The DNR is only a decision about CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

It does not affect any other treatments, such as pain medicine, other medicines, or nutrition. For doctor’s orders about other end-of-life treatments, your senior may want a POLST instead.

We explain why your older adult might want a DNR, the difference between a pre-hospital and a hospital DNR, how to get a DNR, and how to make sure it’s easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Why would seniors want a DNR?

If your older adult has already decided that they don’t want CPR, this form allows them to make sure their wishes are honored in an emergency.

Without a DNR or POLST, emergency medical personnel are required to do their best to resuscitate someone who is not breathing or doesn’t have a heartbeat.

They cannot stop these efforts without a signed medical order, no matter what you say.

The difference between pre-hospital vs hospital DNR

DNR forms are used in hospitals so the staff will know how to respond in case of an emergency.

However, there are also DNR forms that can be used outside of a hospital by emergency medical personnel or in assisted living. Those are often called pre-hospital DNR.

Make sure you have the form that’s right for your older adult’s current situation. Some people may need both.

How to get a DNR

After talking with your older adult, discuss their CPR preferences with their doctor.

The doctor must sign the official DNR form and should have access to the appropriate forms for your older adult’s state.

To prevent the DNR from being rejected during a medical emergency, make sure the form is filled out accurately and completely.

Make sure the DNR is easily accessible

A DNR can only be honored if people know it exists.

Notify doctors, nurses, caregivers, family members, and assisted living staff about your older adult’s wishes and show that they have a signed DNR.

Make sure doctors, hospitals, and assisted living communities have the DNR and/or file or posted prominently in your older adult’s room.

Print copies for your hospital essential kit and for family members. Also post it prominently in your older adult’s home – emergency medical teams are likely to look for it near their bed or on the refrigerator.