Advance Directives

Article submitted by Terri Waldman, Director of Generations Unit at El Dorado Hospital.
For more information, she can be reached at 520-886-6361, or visit their website at www.eldoradohospital.com.

Aging is a fact of life. Some of us prepare for it and some of us just let it happen. It is always difficult to predict the future, but we know there are certain inevitables that must be faced. Those inevitables include things such as birth, partnerships, illness, taxes and death. We all make choices of how we will face these issues. This article's focus is preparation. We have heard over and over about prevention, prevention, prevention. I am not going to dispute that prevention is the tool of preparation. Through experience at Generations at El Dorado Hospital, I have seen many individuals deal with lifes' challenges in many different ways. The smoothest process has been when individuals have certain things in place before the crisis occurs. What are those things, you ask? The easiest answer is ADVANCE DIRECTIVES.

Advance directives usually consist of power of attorney designation and living wills. There are two types of power of attorneys. There is medical and financial power of attorneys (POA). They can be the same person, but do not have to be. Just because you have designated a healthcare POA it will not be assumed that this person is your financial POA or vice versa. Also, remember that next of kin is not automatically a POA, you must designate this person and the paperwork must be available. It is always a good idea to give a copy to your doctor and to make sure your designee has a copy. If the copy is in your safety deposit box and no one can access it but you, it will not be helpful in times of crisis. It is important to designate someone you trust to make decisions for you when you are incapable of doing so. It is important, however difficult, to discuss your wishes with this trusted individual. They can't do what you want if you don't tell them what you want. These are issues that we don't like to discuss over coffee, but in reality, it is the perfect over coffee discussion. It not only addresses important decisions it brings us closer to our loved ones. Even though it's hard to discuss it feels good to be trusted with the understanding that our loved ones will be taken care of and their wishes will be respected with your help.

The healthcare or medical POA will be able to make medical/healthcare decisions and the financial POA will be able to assist with financial decision-making. A mental health POA is also advisable. This is a person who can assist in making decisions about mental health including psychiatrist, and/or counseling outpatient appointments and inpatient treatment, if necessary. If you have any history of mental health issues a mental health POA is very important.

A living will is a document that will allow you to state your wishes at the end of your life. You can be a no code, which means that when the time comes only comfort measures will be taken or you can be a full code, which means that all measures, including resuscitation, ventilation and/or medication will occur. You can also be a modified code, which allows you to chose which measures you would like to be taken in case your heart or lungs stop working. If you do not have a living will, healthcare professionals must (by law) treat you as a full code and do everything to keep you alive. If you do not have a healthcare POA and/or a living will this is what will occur. It is also important to know that oftentimes family members have different ideas on end of life issues and arguments can ensue, which makes a difficult time even more difficult. So, discussing it and taking the time to complete the POA/Living will forms will only assist in maintaining family harmony.

I know this has been a very simplified explanation of Advance Directives, there is lots of information on line and in bookstores. I suggest that you spend some time researching the available information and meeting with your family. You can also ask any healthcare professional working with you to provide you with information. Remember, it is your life from birth to death. Be prepared!!!!!