"I feel great, workout a couple of times a week. I'm just about healthy as can be, but just in case I'm incapacitated, I want my family to know just how much care I want."

You have the right to give advance instructions about your own health care. And you have the right to name someone else to make health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to communicate on your own.

These are end-of-the-game, end-of-the-line considerations. I don’t know anyone who is entirely comfortable contemplating their own death. We just “don’t want to go there.”

But what happens to you when who can’t speak for yourself? How do you get your “say”?

You have to say – in advance – what  you want done in particular medical circumstances.

Do you want so-called heroic measures when you’re 95 and your organs are failing and you’re unconscious? Do you want to be kept on life support until your family is contacted? Do you want drugs to ease pain in your final hours? Do you want to be kept comfortable and let nature run her course?

The Advance Health Care Directive allows you to make the choices  while you’re rationale. It also lets you express your wishes regarding donation of organs and the designation of your primary physician.

The Health Care Directive form is a power of attorney for health care. It lets you name another individual as agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions. Or  you can name someone else to make those decisions for you now, even though you are still capable. You may also name an alternate agent to act for you if your first choice is not willing, able or reasonably available to make decisions for you.

Unless the form you sign limits the authority of your agent, your agent will be called on to make all health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to communicate. However, the document can be written to limit the authority of your agent.

When we talk with you about an Advance Health Care Directive, we’ll examine many of the choices that might have to be made:

  • Consent or refuse any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or otherwise affect a physical or mental condition.
  • Select or discharge health care providers and institutions.
  • Approve or reject diagnostic tests, surgical procedures,and programs of medication.
  • Direct the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration and all other forms of health care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  • Make anatomical gifts, authorize an autopsy, and direct disposition of remains.

 

Revocation

You have the right to revoke, revise or replace your advance health care directive at any time.


Call Lynn Ryder at 805.216.4208