Advanced Medical Directives

Many people find it uneasy to speak about dying and to talk about preparations for the worst death scenario is something many find a taboo. Death comes to everyone and when, how, and where is just a few of the things people don’t want to think about. In real life or death situations that we cannot control, it is always wise to have a backup plan to ensure that you have a right to the kind of care you want to get when you’re incapable of making the decision yourself. Here is where an advance medical directive comes into play.

An advance medical directive is a tug-of-war between what is practical and what is morally right. When you are just too ill to express what you want, advance medical directives make it legal for you to make a decision now, for use in that crucial moment when you want to continue or stop medical care to prolong your life. This issue addresses the use of dialysis, respirators or breathing machines, cardiac resuscitation, tube feeding, and organ donation. With an advance medical directive, you can ease your pain and of those people that matters most in your life.

What is an Advance Medical Directive?

By the word itself, it is an advanced written and legal consent on what type of treatment you prefer when the moment of indecision arrives. You can assign a surrogate person to decide in your behalf too. No one can predict the future events and having an advance medical directive can help prevent future complications when it comes to life-sustaining medical treatment. Sadly, only one out of five adults in the United States has an advance medical directive that will give him or her the right to a good, painless, and quick death. The 1991 Patient Self-Determination Act was made in order for people to take control of their future. Without an advance medical directive, it’s like trying to fix your broken car, knowing that it won’t run afterwards and still, being billed for the work on having it fixed.

3 types of derivatives you can choose from

What Types of Advance Medical Directive Can Take Advantage of? Not all advance medical directives are the same and it is always wise to put your wishes in writing. Although not a requirement, you can seek an attorney’s help to aid you in making one. You can also find various forms, depending on your state, from the internet. You can just download and fill it in. Here are the three types of advance medical directives you can choose from:

1. Living Will

This is your written document that states what type of treatment you want to have on the time that you become incapacitated. You can be very specific with your wishes, which will help your physicians and health care institutions on what type of treatment you want. Always keep in mind to have the most comfortable care when the time is called for. You can determine when you want a CPR, how long you want to have a mechanical ventilator that keeps you breathing, how long you want to be tube fed, or what is your desired time frame for dialysis. If you wish to have your vital organs and tissues donated, you may also state it on this living will.

2. Durable Power of Attorney

You can name a person who will decide on what treatment you will get on the time that you are completely incapacitated, and this is done through the power of an attorney. Typically, this person is a close relative or friend, whom you trust. They are also called your advocate or proxy. If you think that this person will find it hard to decide on refusal of certain medical care, you can add your wishes on top of this power of attorney. This person will make financial transactions, process necessary documents, and issue checks when you cannot do the task yourself.

3. Do Not Resuscitate Order

There are cases when a person reaches a vegetable state and continues to live with the aid of life support systems. This seems to prolong the person’s agony and for this, some people add a request not to be resuscitated or brought back to life when their heart stops beating. You have an option not to include this order in your advance medical directive.

Be Prepared

Planning for the worst of what future can bring is not easy, but in making an advance medical directive, you are doing your family and friends a huge favor of carrying a sudden burden when the time comes. You will need to choose your health care agent and they don’t have to be members of your family. You must trust someone who is matured and responsible, one who can think clearly and make sound decisions. Since an advance medical directive don’t expire until you change it, you can always revise. Always keep a copy in a safe and accessible place, and give copies of it to your doctor and loved ones. Better be prepared than be sorry!

RESOURCES:

Hecht, Mayde B., RN. “ Advance Medical Directives. “ Medicine Net.

http://www.medicinenet.com/advance_medical_directives/article.htm

National Cancer Institute. “ Advance Directives. “ Medline Plus.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/advancedirectives.html

American Geriatrics Society. “ Guide to Advance Directives. “ June 2009. Docstoc.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/7235731/Guide-to-Advance-Directives

Mayo Clinic. “ Living Wills and Advance Directives for Medical Decisions.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/living-wills/HA00014