Updated December 11, 2006
Advance Directives
A Word About When to Prepare Advance Directives
Many people think that preparing Advance Directives is something that can
be left until it is needed. The recent events surrounding Terry Schiavo,
however, make it clear that even the young and healthy should think about
getting their houses in order, should they unexpectedly lose the capacity
to make their own healthcare decisions. The following links provide
information to help in figuring out which legal route to take; where to
get free forms and instructions; deciding what to say in these directives;
and how to talk with doctors and loved ones about your wishes.
Regarding Legal Options
American Bar Association ·
800-285-2221
Information about Living Wills, Healthcare Powers of Attorney, Healthcare
Proxies and Guardianship is provided by this website. When there, enter "Facts about law and the elderly" in it's
search box and click on "Go." Then click on the link that includes the
Table of Contents.
Free Forms and Instructions
Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State · 800-431-8988
This site provides a link to a clearly written document, for New York residents, on advance planning for health care. Topics include: why advance planning; when should a living will be used in addition to a healthcare proxy; when is a living will unnecessary; special topics such as pain management, hospice care, organ donation; Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders; and much more. Click on “Consumer Resources”, then “Planning Your Health Care in Advance.”
National Hospice and Palliative
Care Organization (NHPCO) ·
800-658-8898
This
Caring Connections site of NHPCO provides state-specific Advance
Directive forms and instructions. Once on the site, click as directed for
Advance Directives. This will bring up a page asking for your name and
email address but you do not need to provide personal information to get
the forms you need. Clicking on "submit" at the bottom of the page will
bring up links to forms for different states.
New York State Department
of Health ·
No Phone Listed
New Yorkers can find forms and instructions
at this site by clicking of Info for Consumers then on Health
Care Proxy Law.
Preparing and Sharing Advance
Directives
Once you have the forms, you will need to
learn about your medical options (talking with your doctors is a good way
to start); decide what you will want and not want
to be done on your behalf; speak with the person you would like to serve
as your proxy; prepare your directive(s); and share them with the
important people in your life (family members, doctors, clergy, and so
on).
Learning About Medical Options
Condition-Specific Organizations
Talking With Loved Ones
Hospice of the Valley
· 602-222-2229
Located in
Phoenix, Arizona, this organization provides helpful information about Advance Directives
through its Healthcare Decisions program. Click on "Sharing Advance
Directive" for suggestions regarding who to share the directive with and
how to talk about this difficult subject.