What are your Advance Directives?
You have the right to make decisions about your medical treatment. These decisions become more difficult if, due to illness or a change in mental condition, you are unable to tell your doctor and loved ones what kind of healthcare treatments you want. That is why it is important for you to make your wishes known in advance.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare(Also known as Medical Power of Attorney.
In this document, you name a person as your healthcare Representative to make healthcare decisions on your behalf when you are unable to make them. Your proxy can interpret your wishes to your physician when you are not able. In order for advance directives to be honored, they must be included in your chart. If you (an adult) have not made decisions regarding your treatment in the event your diagnosed with a terminal and irreversible condition and you are unable to make decisions for yourself, your are permitted by law to make this declaration by designating a person to make medical decisions on your behalf. In such a situation the name person my execute a durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions (the person does not need to be a lawyer). They also may be called your healthcare surrogate.
Advance Directive (or Living Will)
In this document, you provide written instructions about the type of healthcare you would want or not want performed for you under various circumstances. When you are admitted into a hospital, you will be asked for you Advance Directive. A copy will be made part of your medical record. If you do not have an Advance Directive, you are urged to discuss this with your physician or family/support person so your wishes for treatment are understood.
by all.
Withholding of Resuscitative Services (DNR-Do Not resuscitate)
You, as a patient, have the right to request the withholding of resuscitative services and the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining procedures.
Much information for these directives is online and is often different by state.
One source is www.caringinfo.org.