“Does Your Family Know Your Medical Preferences?”
At the twilight of life, it is important that your family knows the kind of medical care you wish to receive or not receive. Health Care Directives establish your preferences. Sometimes known as a “Living Will“, the Health Care Directive is a document directing the types of medical treatment and medications you would want or not want in the event you are unable to express your own preferences.
Most importantly, a Health Care Directive designates an Agent who knows your preferences, can obtain medical records, and can speak on your behalf. It can also designate funeral desires, burial location preferences and organ donations if you desire. It is not a substitute for a will, trust or power of attorney.
As demonstrated in the Terri Schiavo case in Florida, which lasted from 1998-2005, it is very important that a person’s Health Care Directive be in writing. The alternative is for different family members to recount and interpret what they recall of what the incapacitated person said and thought, which is what happened in the Schiavo case. Ms. Schiavo was only 26 years old and in good health when she went into a coma. Her family went through great anguish and expense. Regardless of your beliefs as to the merits of either side of that tragic situation, sadly it could have been avoided with a written Health Care Directive.
