BackPlan Now to Control Your Future Healthcare Decisions
Article submitted by Rose Shawe, Patient Advocate at Parthenon Pavilion.
For more information, they can be reached at 615-342-4445.
Hopefully none of us will ever be in a situation in which we are unable to express our preferences for medical treatment. But realistically, many of us will face that situation at some time in our life. The best way to deal with these situations is to prepare Advance Directives to be utilized in the event you cannot make these decisions. There are 2 basic types of Advance Directives:
- DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTHCARE: A legal document executed by an individual which allows someone they
designate, to make decisions regarding their financial and healthcare affairs for them if they become incapacitated. It does not
take away the person's right to refuse/choose treatment if they retain their decision-making capacity. The individual can revoke
this document anytime, as long as they retain decision-making capacity. This document allows the designated individual to admit
you to a medical facility, nursing home or other healthcare facilities. It also empowers the designee to make decisions
regarding your care, get copies of medical records and be kept up to date on your treatment, needs and progress.
- LIVING WILL: This document provides direction to family and medical professionals regarding what treatment a patient would like to receive in the event they become incapacitated. A living will includes the patient's wishes regarding resuscitative measures, nourishment, hydration and other end of life issues. This document assures that your wishes and preferences are followed in the event you are not able to tell your family and care providers directly.
In the absence of Advance Directives families are often asked to provide guidance as to what treatment the patient would like to receive in these very serious situations. This puts the healthcare providers in a position in which they must rely heavily on families, friends, or even acquaintances. What happens if the family disagrees? What happens if you have never discussed your treatment choices? Who makes these decisions if you have outlived all your family members? These questions come up far to frequently and cause unnecessary stress for families and healthcare providers in situations, which are already stressful. Advance directives give guidance to the family and the healthcare providers, which allow them to give you the care you choose for yourself.
Advanced Directives must be prepared according to the current state statutes in which they are executed, whether you use an attorney, or some method of completing these documents, make sure your documents are valid prior to the time you need them. You are your own best advocate. Make copies. Take them with you when you are going to the hospital, give a copy to your doctor to have on file and to family members. Lastly, discuss your preferences with your family and doctor to make sure your wishes are clear.