Choices

by Betty Mitchell RN BSN, Parish Nurse, Emmanuel Bethel Church, Royal Oak, MI

There are many choices we make during a lifetime — where to go to college, who our friends will be, what church to attend — for example.
Some choices are much easier to make than others. As we get older we begin to realize some of  the difficult health care decisions that one day must be made. What will happen when difficult decisions need to be made that you are unable to make for yourself — because of coma, dementia, etc.? Who would decide, and how would they decide?
Advance directives are legal documents that spell out your health care wishes should you not be able to make those decisions. A durable power of attorney is one type of advance directive. Your preference for who will make your health care decisions is documented in the power of attorney. The person designated will make these decisions on your behalf.
A living will specifies your wishes regarding certain life-sustaining or life-saving procedures, including dialysis or the use of breathing machines. No individual is named to make the decision for you. You may complete each of the forms, if desired. One does not override the other. Forms for advance directives may be found online. Each state has forms and the requirements for each of these documents.
Your medical team will need to be notified once you have completed the documents so they will be aware of your choices and that copies are available to them.Your advance directive may need to be revised over time if you decide on a different advocate for your health decisions or to be sure you wish to continue with the same choices previously made.
Planning ahead by discussing the medical care you desire allows your caregivers relief in knowing what your wishes are, and they will be prepared during any crisis in the future. It will take effort on your part to set up a family meeting to discuss these issues, but it will be well worth it.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more,
for the former things have passed away.
(Revelation 21:4)
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303