---
title: "Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment: Definition"
description: "POLST is a portable medical order for seriously ill people. It records which life-sustaining treatments a person wants or does not want. A health care..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/physician-orders-for-life-sustaining-treatment/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Legal and planning

# Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

POLST is a portable medical order for seriously ill people. It records which life-sustaining treatments a person wants or does not want. A health care professional completes it with the patient or their legal representative. It is a medical order, not an advance directive.

## Why it matters for your family

POLST helps when an emergency happens at home. Paramedics can follow a medical order, while they may not be able to act on a general wish in a drawer. The National POLST Collaborative describes it as a portable medical order that gives seriously ill people control of their treatment. It does not replace an advance directive. Families often think everyone needs one, but POLST fits people with serious illness or frailty, and a doctor decides with the patient. Names and rules vary by state. Keep the form where responders can see it, often on the fridge, and share it with home caregivers. Ask the doctor whether it fits your situation.

Source: [polst.org](https://polst.org/)

[Read more: What is Elder Law and Do You Need an Elder Care Attorney?](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/paying-for-care/elder-law-attorney/)

## Related terms

-   [**Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)**MOLST is a medical order form used in some states, such as New York and Maryland.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medical-orders-for-life-sustaining-treatment/)
-   [**Advance directive**An advance directive is a legal document that states your health care wishes in case you cannot decide for yourself.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/advance-directive/)
-   [**Do not resuscitate order (DNR)**A do not resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical order that tells health care professionals not to perform CPR if a person's heart or breathing stops.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/do-not-resuscitate-order/)
-   [**Living will**A living will is a legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/living-will/)
-   [**Advance care planning**Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future medical care.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/advance-care-planning/)
-   [**Healthcare proxy**A healthcare proxy is a person you name to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/healthcare-proxy/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

## Talk to a care advisor today.

Free consultation. No minimums, no contracts.

[800-974-3458](tel:+18009743458)

[Call a care advisor](tel:+18009743458)[Find a caregiver online](https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com)

![A caregiver and an older woman looking at a tablet together](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/personal-hero.DqUYygP8_1Sv1FH.webp)