Posted on Jul 27, 2020
A will doesn't cover all your bases when it comes to end-of-life decisions. Here's what else you...
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LTC Eugene Chu My cell phone contains copies of my Advance Health Care Directive and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. Just in case.
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Great article MAJ(P) Eugene Chu. Your Advance Health Care Directive needs to be more specific than "in case I am having a heart attack, do not resuscitate". There are several scenarios under which having a DNR will mean no resuscitation when doing so could lead to longer life without debilitation. It pays to sit down with your physician to go through the different types of scenarios for DNR, withdrawal of life support, etc. and make sure all of those are in the HCD. The more detailed the HCD, the easier it is for doctors, family members, and others to know what you want done.
You also need to talk in depth with whoever you have chosen to be your durable power of attorney for healthcare. I and my husband were our nephew's durable power of attorneys for when he was stationed in war zones. Each time before he left, we talked for a few hours regarding the various situations which could occur and what he wanted done. And make sure whoever you choose for your durable power of attorney can follow through with your directives. Do you want your parents/wife, etc. to be the one to decide if you live or die? Could they handle making that decision? Can they make those decisions if their religion and/or morals are against it? These are pretty heavy decisions that one must live with for the rest of their life.
You also need to talk in depth with whoever you have chosen to be your durable power of attorney for healthcare. I and my husband were our nephew's durable power of attorneys for when he was stationed in war zones. Each time before he left, we talked for a few hours regarding the various situations which could occur and what he wanted done. And make sure whoever you choose for your durable power of attorney can follow through with your directives. Do you want your parents/wife, etc. to be the one to decide if you live or die? Could they handle making that decision? Can they make those decisions if their religion and/or morals are against it? These are pretty heavy decisions that one must live with for the rest of their life.
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