YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- When is the right time to name someone to speak for you in case of serious illness?
A: when you're in good health
B: when you're in a coma
The answer, of course, is "A." The problem? We are reluctant to talk about our medical wishes in case of serious illness or end of life. Because of this, often the result is family conflict and confusion at a time when you are most vulnerable and cannot speak for yourself. You may remember the sad case of Terry Schiavo several years ago. Following a heart attack which left her in a vegetative state, her parents and husband battled in court for years for the right to make her healthcare decisions. With prior planning, she would have avoided those issues by executing advance directives.
April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day. Take this opportunity to discuss your healthcare options and wishes with your medical provider and family members, and make an appointment with the legal office at 225-8069 to draft an advance medical directive.
What is an advance medical directive? An advance medical directive is a legal document that tells healthcare providers your wishes regarding treatment options and who will make medical decisions for you, if you are ever unable speak for yourself. There are three types of advance directives that the legal office can draft for you: a living will, a durable power of attorney for health care, and a durable power of attorney for financial affairs.
Living will: A living will is a written document that outlines what medical treatments are desired or not desired at an end-of-life stage. This can include a person's wishes regarding medical services such as life support, use of a ventilator or feeding tube, and CPR.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: Also known as a Health Care Proxy, this is a written document in which an individual designates another person to make healthcare decisions if he or she is suffering from an incapacitating medical condition and is unable to communicate his or her wishes. The designated person can request or refuse treatment on the individual's behalf while he or she is incapacitated, although those decisions are subject to the living will of the incapacitated individual.
Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Affairs: A Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Affairs also takes effect when an individual is medically incapacitated. This written document allows an individual to designate another person to handle financial transactions while the individual is incapacitated. This includes, for example, making bank transactions, applying for government benefits, handling medical insurance, or paying bills.
Having one or more advance medical directives will help alleviate the stress your family may have in making medical decisions for you in a crisis, and your family and doctors will be better able to honor your wishes when the time comes to do so.
To make an appointment to draft your advance directives contact the Yokota legal office at 225-8069.