| |
If a traffic accident left you in a permanent coma, would you want to be kept alive by machines? If complications during routine surgery resulted in cardiac arrest, would you want the medical staff to attempt resuscitation despite any cost or consequences?
If you were diagnosed with a terminal illness, would you choose to be relieved of pain even if doing so severely impaired your mental abilities?
These are hard, uncomfortable questions. But it's precisely their difficulty that makes them crucial to consider. In extreme circumstances, difficult decisions such as these should not be left to family members.
And that is why you need advance medical directives.
Advance medical directives remove the burden of life-and-death decision-making from your family while protecting your rights and honoring your wishes, even if you are unable to speak for yourself.
|
| What Are Advance Directives? |
There are two types of advance medical directives: living wills and healthcare powers of attorney.
Living wills are more commonly used in cases of terminal illness or near-death circumstances. They are detailed and specific written instructions explaining your wishes regarding health care.
A healthcare power of attorney is a document in which you name a person, or "proxy", to make healthcare decisions for you in the event you become unable to do so. The healthcare power of attorney is the more powerful document because it provides an interpreter for unclear wishes - as long as you have clearly conveyed your desires to your appointed proxy. |
| Make Your Wishes Known |
Now - while you are able to consider your choices with a clear mind and healthy body - is the best time to make decisions on your future healthcare.
Some things to contemplate and discuss with your family, clergy, physician and most importantly, your proxy: - Do I wish to prolong my life, regardless of the cost and stress to my family?
- What are my religious beliefs regarding life and death?
- Do I want to be an organ donor?
- How do I feel about issues of independence and self-sufficiency?
- When near death, do I want to be with my loved ones or in a hospital setting?
- Are there specific treatments and procedures I wish to refuse or accept:
- - tube feeding?
- - excessive pain control?
- - resuscitation attempts?
- - dialysis?
- - respirators?
- - IV therapy?
|
| Put It In Writing |
Because laws and regulations vary from state to state, it is important to check the laws regarding advance directives in your state. Then, put your wishes in writing. Standardized forms, which should be fully personalized to reflect your exact healthcare wishes, can be obtained from your local hospital, nursing home or lawyer. State-specific forms can also be downloaded from the Choice In Dying Web site listed below.
Once your directives are completed, keep a card in your wallet stating that you have advance directives and where to find them. Give a copy to your proxy and to your physician.
Regularly review your directives, informing your proxy, family and physician of any changes.
|
|
