Learn to Make Medical Decisions in Advance
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-03-20 12:08:55
Two legal documents let you specify in
advance the medical treatment you will
want to receive if an illness or disability
prevents you from making your own
decisions. A living will identifies the
medical treatment you wish to receive
when you are facing death. A durable
Medical Power of Attorney appoints a
person to make medical decisions for you.
What You Should Know
Living Wills
The living will is very different from your regular will. It does not involve
transferring your property to loved ones. Instead, it identifies the medical
procedures you do or do not want to receive during your final illness. A living
will can tell your doctor whether you want to receive life-sustaining treatment
if you have a terminal illness or are in a persistent vegetative state.
State law varies on the signing requirement for a living will. Usually you sign
and date your living will before two witnesses.
Durable Medical Power of Attorney
A durable Medical Power of Attorney is different from and more flexible than
a living will:
Choosing an agent. When you establish a durable Medical Power of
Attorney, you choose the person whom you want to make medical decisions
on your behalf if you cannot make your own decisions. This allows your
agent to participate in medical discussions and weigh the pros and cons of
treatment decisions. The agent then can make an informed decision in
accordance with your wishes.
Giving specific instructions. A durable Medical Power of Attorney lets you
give specific instructions about any treatment that you want done or want to
avoid. You can include whatever issues you care about most.
Combining documents. Most states now combine the living will and medical
power of attorney into one document. In one section of the document you
state your wishes about a wide range of medical decisions, including
end-of-life treatment. In another section you appoint your agent.
http://www.aarp.org/health/articles/EstatePlanningAdvanceMedicalDecisions.
html
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-03-20 12:08:55
Two legal documents let you specify in
advance the medical treatment you will
want to receive if an illness or disability
prevents you from making your own
decisions. A living will identifies the
medical treatment you wish to receive
when you are facing death. A durable
Medical Power of Attorney appoints a
person to make medical decisions for you.
What You Should Know
Living Wills
The living will is very different from your regular will. It does not involve
transferring your property to loved ones. Instead, it identifies the medical
procedures you do or do not want to receive during your final illness. A living
will can tell your doctor whether you want to receive life-sustaining treatment
if you have a terminal illness or are in a persistent vegetative state.
State law varies on the signing requirement for a living will. Usually you sign
and date your living will before two witnesses.
Durable Medical Power of Attorney
A durable Medical Power of Attorney is different from and more flexible than
a living will:
Choosing an agent. When you establish a durable Medical Power of
Attorney, you choose the person whom you want to make medical decisions
on your behalf if you cannot make your own decisions. This allows your
agent to participate in medical discussions and weigh the pros and cons of
treatment decisions. The agent then can make an informed decision in
accordance with your wishes.
Giving specific instructions. A durable Medical Power of Attorney lets you
give specific instructions about any treatment that you want done or want to
avoid. You can include whatever issues you care about most.
Combining documents. Most states now combine the living will and medical
power of attorney into one document. In one section of the document you
state your wishes about a wide range of medical decisions, including
end-of-life treatment. In another section you appoint your agent.
http://www.aarp.org/health/articles/EstatePlanningAdvanceMedicalDecisions.
html
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