USF-COM
Department
of Family Medicine
Patient Education Information on...
What
you need to know about Advanced Directives
by Brett Sandifer, Class of 1999
Index of
Patient Education Topics
Q. WHAT IS AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
A. It is a difficult task for someone to think
about a time when he or she will be unable to make medical decisions, but
this is a possibility that everyone should consider. An advance directive
allows you to state your wishes concerning your health care if you lose
the ability to make decisions for yourself. It typically describes the
extent of treatment you would like in the event of a critical illness,
persistent unconsciousness or a terminal illness.
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Q. WHY SHOULD I HAVE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
A. Advance directives are not only for people with serious illnesses
like cancer since a debilitating illness can occur without warning in the
healthiest of people. An advance directive will help ensure that your wishes
will be honored whenever such a situation arises. It will also help relieve
the burden about health care decisions from your loved ones during what
will already be a difficult time for them.
Q. DO I HAVE TO HAVE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
A. No. If you become unable to make medical decisions, Florida law states
that
others can be appointed to make decisions for you. They are, in order:
-
a court appointed guardian, a spouse, an adult child or majority of
available
-
adult children, a parent, siblings, an adult relative or close friend
who has demonstrated a close relationship with you.
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Q. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES?
A. A living will is a type of advance directive that states your
desires as to whether life-sustaining treatment should be provided,
withheld or with-drawn if you are suffering from a terminal condition and
are unable to make decisions for yourself. This document only comes
into effect when
you are declared terminally ill. This decision is made by your doctor
and one other doctor when you lose the ability to express yourself.
A durable power of attorney is another type of advance
directive that allows you to choose someone to make medical decisions for
you in the event you become unable to do so. You should select someone
you trust and you should sit down with them in advance to discuss your
wishes.
A do-not-resuscitate order is an order placed in the chart
by your doctor that states that in the event that your heart stops
or you stop breathing no measures will be taken to revive you. This
order will be placed in the chart only after the doctor has discussed
this with you or your designated legal representative.
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Q. WHO SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MY ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
A. The original should be accessible to the person whom you designate
to make decisions for you if you have durable power of attorney.
You should also give copies to your physician, family members, lawyer,
clergy, and friends or anyone else who might possibly be involved
in your health care.
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Q. HOW DO I MAKE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
A. There are several ways to prepare an advance directive. Sample forms
can
be obtained from your physician, hospital staff, a lawyer, a state representative
or senator. Any further questions you may have can also
be answered
by any of these people. These are not meant to be complicated legal forms.
They can be short, simple statements of your wishes.
Q. CAN I CHANGE MY MIND ONCE I HAVE SIGNED AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
A. Yes. As long as you can communicate, your decisions override the
advance directive. These documents are only for those periods in
which you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
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Q. How do I find more information about
making advance directives ?