One day, you might have a medical emergency that leaves you incapacitated. It’s important you fill in a blank living will form and other templates, just in case. In this post, we’ll show you how to establish your healthcare wishes in writing.
Types of Healthcare Instructions
There are four main documents you have to be aware of when deciding your future care. These are:
- Living wills: These let you set out which treatments you would or wouldn’t want to have.
- Powers of attorney: POA documents let you appoint someone to make choices for you.
- DNR orders: Do-not-resuscitate orders are a way for you to decline CPR.
- POLST forms: This doctor’s note has more details about your treatment preferences.
Any of these let you take control of your healthcare. Your living will and POA can even combine to make an advance medical directive. Getting all four, however, might be the best option. You’ll have complete confidence that the hospital will follow exactly what you want.
When You Need Healthcare Instructions
There are plenty of situations where you might need to give advance directives. For example, if you’re in a coma. In this situation, you won’t be able to refuse treatments you’re not comfortable with. There may also be another emergency that needs your input right away.
This is also important as you get older — especially if dementia runs in the family. Even if you’re fully awake, you won’t be able to reliably consent to healthcare. The answers you give might not reflect your lucid moments, for example.
Preparing Your Advance Directive
If you’re setting up an advance directive, make sure you do it right. This involves choosing your POA’s proxy or “agent.” This is the person who’ll be making decisions on your behalf. They’ll be able to advocate for your care in situations you haven’t already laid out.
Your choice isn’t always going to be the person you trust the most. They might simply be unable to make the hardest decisions. If it came to it, would you trust them to switch off your ventilator?
As for your living will, make sure you cover a wide breadth of topics. This includes any drugs or treatments you would rather refuse. Your religious beliefs could be a major factor. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions.
Mental Health Directives
Similar to dementia, there may be situations where you can’t consent even while conscious. In a mental health crisis, you still need adequate care that fits your usual preferences.
Losing your autonomy in a health crisis is always scary. Waking up and learning you consented to treatments you aren’t usually comfortable with might even be traumatic. If you or a loved one struggles with mental health episodes, these directives are also worth looking into.
This could form part of your “main” directive documents. Make sure you include any appropriate details on your living will or POLST forms.
Discussing Your Situation
No matter your directive setup, make sure you discuss it with a doctor. They will tell you the best course of action and possibly put your concerns at ease. However, they can’t actively sway you on your decisions. Don’t consent to treatments you really can’t handle.
If religion is a concern, talk to any faith leaders in your community. They might be more open to treatments than you expect. No matter what they say, however, it’s ultimately up to you and your personal beliefs.
Finally, talk to your family; they need to know what you’re planning. This will also help a medical proxy make decisions on your behalf. The choices in your living will won’t blindside them or slow them down.
Storing Your Healthcare Information
Make sure your documents are secure. This may be via cloud storage or even a safe. Only you and other relevant parties should be able to access it. For example, your agent and other family members you trust.
When you change your medical instructions, get rid of older versions. The newer document will always be a priority anyway. However, somebody could use the original document to argue for a treatment you’re no longer okay with.
Updating Your Information
On the topic of changing your documents, review them once a year or so. If there’s a major shift in your opinions, you can update it sooner. It’s important that your living will, POA and other documents always reflect your current beliefs.
Neglecting to update your POA can mean it’s out-of-date in an emergency. You might not be in a position to let people know about this. Your agent also can’t overrule what you’ve written.
Final Thoughts
You have to be ready for any medical emergency. This means keeping your medical documents up to date. However, drafting a living will with a lawyer could cost hundreds of dollars. To help with this, use a free online template.
Also Read: 5 Innovative Applications of Radio Technology in Healthcare Today
