What kinds of choices have to be made?
New medication, treatments, and equipment save many
lives but may also prolong lives where there is little chance
of recovery. If you were terminally ill or permanently
unconscious, consider the following questions:
• Would you want the doctors to do everything they can for
as long as they can?
• Do you want the doctors to try to restart your heart and
breathing if it stops?
If you haven’t put your wishes in an Advance Directive,
doctors will talk with your family or proxy to make choices
about your treatment if you are too sick to choose for yourself.
Who can help me make these choices?
It’s normal to feel anxious and uneasy about making these
choices. Choose someone with whom you feel comfortable to
discuss the kind of life you want in the event of terminal illness
or permanent unconsciousness. Your doctor, nurse, chaplain
or pastor, medical social worker, or patient representative is
available to assist you. You may want to complete an Advance
Directive while you are in good health, so you have time to
think about what choices to include in your living will.
What is a living will?
A living will lets you put into writing which medical treatments
you do and do not want at the end of your life. It takes effect
only when you are not able to let your doctors know your
wishes.
It applies only when you have a terminal illness from which
death is expected within six months and when further
treatment will not save your life or when you are in a state
of permanent unconsciousness and improvement is not
expected. You need to talk to your doctor about your health
so you will know what may happen following treatment.
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