Page 25 - Home Health Marketing

SECTION 5. Advance Directives

STATE SPECIFIC INFO
WILL BE ADDED HERE
It is your right to decide about the medical care you will receive. You have the
(IF APPLICABLE)
right to be informed of treatment options available before giving consent for
medical treatment. You also have the right to accept, refuse or discontinue
any treatment at any time.

All of us who provide you with health care services are responsible for
following your wishes. However, there may be times when you may not be
able to decide, or make your wishes known.

Many people want to decide ahead of time what kinds of treatment they want
to keep them alive. Advance Directives let you make your wishes for
treatment known in advance.
An Advance Directive is a document written before a disabling illness. The
Advance Directive states your choice about treatment and may name
someone to make treatment choices if you cannot.

There are generally two types of advance directives. They are a living will and
a durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC).

A Living Will is a legal document that allows you to make your wishes known
concerning artificially, life-supporting treatment. This is executed in advance
of the time when you may not be able to participate in those decisions due to
your medical condition. It only goes into effect when you can no longer make
decisions and can be canceled at any time, in writing or by telling someone.

A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC) is a legal document
which allows you to designate a particular person to make decisions
regarding your medical care when you are not able to do so. This person
should be someone you trust to carry out your wishes. It may also be canceled
or changed at any time.

There are several types of durable powers of attorney. Only a durable power
of attorney for health care (DPAHC) gives someone the authority to make
health care decisions for you.

Both of these documents must be signed by two witnesses. Witnesses may
not be relatives, anyone entitled to any part of your estate upon your death,
or your health care providers. It is also recommended that your living will be
notarized, but the law does not require this (a DPAHC must be notarized).
You should give a copy of your living will and/or DPAHC to your doctor, family
or friends and health care providers. Keep the originals with other important
papers in a safe place that is easy to find. Please inform us if you execute
or change either of these documents during the course of your care.

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