stervensplan

Stervensplan, in Dutch, refers to an end-of-life plan or advance care plan. It is a document or set of writings through which a person expresses preferences for medical treatment and care in situations where they may become seriously ill or unable to communicate their wishes. The goal is to guide decisions in alignment with the individual’s values and to support family and healthcare providers during difficult moments.

A stervensplan typically covers preferences regarding the desired level of medical intervention, including resuscitation efforts, hospital admission, use of life-sustaining treatments, pain and symptom management, and the setting of care (for example, home versus hospital or hospice). It may also specify who should be involved in decision-making, such as a legally designated health care proxy or surrogate, and any considerations about organ donation or spiritual and cultural needs. The plan is meant to be revisable and updatable as circumstances or preferences change.

Preparation and use involve clear communication with healthcare professionals and family members. A stervensplan should be accessible to those who may be involved in care and should be reviewed periodically, especially after significant health changes. While it can be formalized through recognized documents, its weight varies by jurisdiction; in many places it serves as guidance or is complemented by legal instruments such as living wills or durable powers of attorney for health care.

See also: advance care planning, living will, durable power of attorney for health care.