Advanced Directives

In the United States if you don't live in the 3 states that has the Death with Dignity law and can't afford to travel overseas or are in no condition to travel set up a living will. An advanced directive can be an invaluable tool along with appointing a trusted medical power of attorney to carry out your wishes.

If you're not American check on your country's law in regards to your rights to refuse treatments.  And don't wait until your older or sick, do it now. Look at the Terri Shiavo case. She went into cardiac arrest in 1990 and remained in a persistent vegetative state until she died in 2005 after her feeding tube was discontinued. Her husband was appointed her Power of Attorney in 1990 and petitioned the court in 1998 to discontinue the feeding tube.

Terri Schiavo's case was long and drawn out. Her parents fought hard to keep her on the feeding tube as she did respond to her mom's voice on occasion. Terri' s husband claimed allowing her to remain on a feeding tube went against her wishes therefore she should be removed. It went back and forth in the court system and religious leaders got involved claiming it was euthanasia to remove Terri from the artificial feedings. In the end she was removed. Since Terri didn't have an advanced directive, her husband had the right to decide. She was 41 years old when she passed away.

Having a Living Will allows you to have a choice and your Advanced Directives can be changed.  You should review it every 1-2 years and update it whenever changes seem necessary. It's easier to say no to procedures than it is to discontinue treatment once it starts. Be proactive with your medical care and once you decide, let your family know your wishes.  And appoint a Medical Power of Attorney to make sure your wishes are followed just incase you can't communicate your wishes.

For example, I never want put on a ventilator or have a Trach. If I go into cardiac arrest I choose not to be resuscitated. I would consider tube feeding if a chance of recovery is possible. These are the sort of things that goes in an advanced Directive. Discuss it with your Dr , and he/she can advise you of how to make your wishes known.

You do have a choice.