q LIVING WILLS AND DURABLE POWERS OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE


One day you or one of your parents or a close relative may sustain serious injuries or become terminally ill and will no longer be capable of making decisions about the future. You can make decisions now about what action you would like taken if this ever happens to you by making a “living will.” In a living will you can direct that if you are very seriously ill and cannot make decisions, your family or physician are authorized to withdraw or withhold all life-sustaining treatment that is not necessary to keep you comfortable. You can also authorize or direct that they not continue providing food and water. A living will allows you to make choices about your own future now in case you lose the ability to make those choices in the future.


You might also choose to make out a “durable power of attorney for health care.” Basically, a durable power of attorney for health care provides that you would like someone else called your “agent,” such as a parent, spouse, or relative, to make decisions for you if you are in a condition in which you are no longer able to think, function, respond, or care for yourself. Such a power of attorney authorizes your agent to make important medical decisions that you cannot make for yourself.


Forms are available to use in making a living will or durable power of attorney for health care at your local hospital or Vermont Ethics Network, 802-828-2909.


On Your Own, 2008 Edition


35


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84