Who will make decisions about your medical care when you are no longer with us? (Advance Directive)

Imagine, unfortunately, that you suddenly become seriously ill, or have an accident, and are unable to speak or make decisions. Then, who decides what kind of medical treatment you want to give you, and what kind of treatment you want to stop? This is something that we all dread to think about, but we need to think about it. Because at a time like this, you can prevent your loved ones from being helpless. That's what we're talking about today, which is called an ' advance directive '. Simply put, an Advance Directive is a legal document that clearly states your wishes regarding your medical treatment if you are still sane and unable to make decisions in the future. Many people don't like to talk about such things, thinking it's "bad." But this can actually be the greatest gift you can give your family. Because it can relieve them of the stress of having to make difficult decisions for you. And these things aren't just for the elderly. Accidents can happen to young people too, right?

There are two types of Advance Directives.

We can mainly talk about two types of documents. It is very important to understand the difference between these two.

How to prepare this document?

Since this is a legal document, it is best to have it prepared with the help of a lawyer. Then there will be no question about its legality.

• Write clearly: Write very clearly and simply what your wishes are.
• Witness signatures: Have two witnesses sign. If possible, have a Justice of the Peace attest to the signature.
• Keep copies: Keep the original in a safe place in your personal files. Give copies to your family, your appointed proxy, and your family doctor. Ask your doctor to keep a copy of this with your medical records.
• Wallet Card: Keep a small card in your purse or wallet. Write something like "I have an Advance Directive. Details and copies of it can be obtained from ... person/location."

The most important thing: open communication!

After you have created this document, you should talk to your doctor, your appointed proxy, and your family about it. Explain to them your thoughts, values, and how you feel about quality of life. Think about it this way. You appointed your daughter as a proxy, but you didn't explain to her what your wishes were. When you lose consciousness, she may decide to keep you connected to the machines out of love, even though you really don't want to. At that time, she will be under a lot of stress. But if you had explained your wishes in advance, it will be easier for her to make the right decision by thinking, "This is how mom/dad wanted it, and I will carry out those wishes."

Who would you choose as your proxy?

This is the most important decision you will make. The person closest to you may not always be the best choice. For example, your beloved wife/husband or child, out of love for you and their unwillingness to lose you, may insist on continuing treatment against your wishes even though the doctors say there is no cure. Therefore, choose someone who you can fully trust to carry out your wishes, whatever they may be, logically rather than emotionally. Explain your views clearly to that person.

What is a DNR order?

You may have heard the words `(Do-Not-Resuscitate / DNR)`. This simply means "do not attempt to resuscitate." If someone's heartbeat or breathing stops, doctors usually try to revive them by performing things like CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). But some patients, especially those in the final stages of terminal illness, do not want to do this. A DNR order is a legal instruction to doctors not to try to resuscitate them if their heart stops beating. This can also be included as part of your Advance Directive. Talk to your doctor about this as well.

Change this document over time.

Our ideas and values ​​change over time, don't they? So, it's important to review this document every few years and make changes and updates if necessary. It's especially important to review it if there's a major change in your life (e.g., a diagnosis of a serious illness, the death of a family member). If you don't, others may wonder if a document that's been around for years still represents your wishes. Creating a document like this can be a bit difficult and emotionally draining. But the peace of mind or relief it provides is worth it. It not only confirms your control over your future, but it also relieves the people you love most of the pressure during a difficult time. advance directive, living will, medical power of attorney, proxy, DNR, last will, medical care, end-of-life care, legal document