Every
person over the age of 18 should complete an Advance Directive
or a Durable
Power of Attorney for Healthcare.
The Advance Directive form
allows you to designate who would make medical decisions
if you are unable to do so, and also allows you to state
your wishes about prolonging life and under what circumstances.
You
should provide signed copies to the person you've
designated and to your doctor's office, and bring a copy
with you whenever
you are admitted to a hospital.
Please be aware that hospital employees are
not permitted to witness your signature on these documents.
If you don't have either an Advance Directive/Durable
Power of Attorney for Healthcare, or documents prepared
by an attorney for this purpose, the law specifies who
among your immediate family are the ones legally authorized
to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to
do so.
In addition
to signing an Advance Directive, you should also speak with
your family to make your wishes clear about organ
and tissue donation. The authority of the Advance Directive/Durable
Power of Attorney for Healthcare ends when the person's life
ends. Therefore, if your family know what you would like to
do; or if you have completed the form on the back of your
driver's license; or if you have legal documents prepared
by an attorney, you can specify what your wishes are after
you pass away.
American
Hospital Association - Put It In Writing >>
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