Advance Directive can Provide a "Good Death"
Most individuals would be in agreement that when it comes time, they want a good death. Too often, this is not further defined by the person, and there are uncertainties abounding when a crisis occurs. Spouses, children, siblings and others often find themselves in the unpleasant position of surrogate decision-maker, trying to decide what their loved one would want if they could make the decision. This is a role many have to step into, with only one in four people having signed advance directives that indicate their desires if they cannot make medical choices themselves.
An advance directive includes a healthcare power of attorney and a living will. A living will describes the type of life-sustaining treatment an individual wants if they end up in a terminal and persistent vegitative state. A healthcare power of attorney selects someone to make medical decisions for an individual who cannot make medical decisions for themselves. Unfortunately, specific medical situations are not always addressed by advance directives. Clinicians can help family members with the decision-making process. Physicians may feel uneasy stating the consequences of different decisions, but an increasing amount of family members want to know the prognostic information in the ICU. An effective surrogate will ask physicians lots of questions to ensure that their loved one’s wishes are carried out.
To read more on this article, visit Prepare for a 'good death' with an advance directive and effective surrogates.
For more information on an advance directive, please contact our Jacksonville Florida estate planning law firm.
