What Are Advanced Directives?

Death isn’t usually a topic that someone thinks about on a regular basis, but it is one of the realities of life. When the subject does come up, most people think about funerals, burials, reading of wills, and the many tasks that come after a death. But, how many people know – and have put down on paper – how they would like to be cared for in the period before they die if they aren’t able to make such decisions on their own?

Putting Your Wishes in Writing

Living longer

As we all age and as doctors are able to cure more diseases, we in the Western world aren’t dying as young. We are living longer, sometimes with chronic or fatal diseases. This puts us in a position where we may be alive but may not be mentally capable of deciding on what sort of care we should be receiving.

Loved ones may have to choose for us, often leaving them with many questions about if this is really what we would have wanted.

Advance directives

Advance directives are important documents that can save much heart ache. These documents can ensure that you get the care that you want and expect, and that you can be allowed to die in peace and dignity when the time comes.

Advance directives take the burden off of your loved ones who may be stressed and unwilling – or unable – to make these important decisions for you.

Also called living wills or DNR orders

Advance directives are sometimes called living wills or DNR (do not resuscitate) orders. In some places, they may be called a power of attorney. That term, though, differs in different parts of the country and may not mean the same thing where you are. This is important because if you believe that you have a legal document and it is not considered legal in your area, your wishes may not be carried out.

To be sure that your document is legal and actionable in your state or province, it’s best to go to a lawyer and make sure it meets all the requirements of your state or province. Medical and legal people want to be sure that you have made these decisions while you are of sound mind, that what is written is truly what you want, you understand what is written, and that the decisions that you are making are truly your own.

What to include in your advance directive

When considering your advance directives, you will need to be as direct and explicit as possible. Do you want to be fed by a tube if you can’t eat yourself? Do you want to be kept on a respirator if you can’t breathe on your own? Do you want invasive diagnostic tests done if you fall further ill? Do you blood transfusions? How far do you want people to go to keep you alive? And when do you want them to let go? You may even include information about organ and/or tissue donation.

Make other people aware

Once you have made your advance directives, make sure that the important people in your life have a copy. The document won’t be of any use if no-one knows about it or don’t have access to it. Don’t keep it in your safety deposit box, for example. You can give copies to family members, your doctor or friends. You can even keep one in your wallet so you have it with you in case of emergency.

Review your choices regularly

After the advance directive has been arranged, be sure to review them regularly. Situations change and people change; how you feel when you write the initial document may not be the same as a year later. Your final will is a very important document – and so is your living will.

Advanced directives/Living wills

Post 100! When I began writing this blog, I wasn’t sure if it would last a week, let alone for 100 posts. Where’s my cake? {grin}.

Ok, now for the stuff that people come for:

How many of you have advanced directives or a living will? If you don’t have one, have you thought about one?

I’m working on a proposal for a potential client and one part includes information on advanced directives, what’s involved and why people should have them. I don’t have one on paper, although I have discussed this with family and friends. Considering my work as a nurse, after seeing what I have seen, you would think that I would have it more together and have my wishes written out, but I am like millions of other North Americans and just haven’t gotten around to doing it.

What are advanced directives? An advanced directive or living will is an important document that relays your wishes for health or medical care if you are unable to speak for yourself or if you are unable to make such decisions. If you don’t have an advanced directive, family or friends may be forced into the position of choosing for you. Even if you have discussed this issue with them before, it is still a difficult decision for another person to make. By having a living will, you keep others from having to take on the burden.

Advanced directives may sometimes be called DNRs or Do Not Resuscitate orders, but a DNR order is more specific than an advanced directive. DNR means simply that: no CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). A living will addresses more than just CPR. It addresses issues like if you should be placed on a ventilator if you can’t breathe, if you should be tube fed if you can’t eat, if you should be treated for illnesses other than the one causing your incapacity, and so on. An advanced directive tells the healthcare professionals how much you want done. It can even include if you wish to have your organs donated for transplantation.

When having an advanced directive or living will drawn up, check with your state or provincial laws to see what is required. If your document isn’t legally sound, first responders and other healthcare professionals cannot abide by it and must, legally, try to save your life.

Once you have made your advanced directives, make sure that the important people in your life have a copy. The document won’t be of any use if no-one knows about it or doesn’t have access to it. Be sure to review them regularly. Situations change and people change; how you feel when you write the initial document may not be the same as a year later.

And please, if you haven’t considered being an organ donor, think about it. So many lives can be saved by just one person.

News for Today:
Antidepressant shows early promise in treating agitation and psychotic symptoms of dementia
Depression makes chronic disease worse: WHO
Oncologists are critical in managing psychiatric disorders in patients with advanced cancer
Frequent alcohol consumption increases cancer risk in older women