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q ADVANCE DIRECTIVES


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 in advance about what action you would like taken if this ever happens to you by making an Advance Directive. In an Advance Directive 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 which is not necessary to keep you comfortable. You can also authorize or direct that they not continue providing food and water, or that this be provided for only a short time to see if you will be able to survive or get better. An Advance Directive 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 name a health care “agent” to make decisions for you when you lose the ability to make your own decisions. This “agent,” may be a parent, spouse, or relative, or any other person who is 18 or older and whom you trust to make decisions for you. Your Advance Directive authorizes your agent to make important medical decisions that you cannot make for yourself.


Forms are available to use in making an Advance Directive for Health Care at your local hospital or Vermont Ethics Network, 802-828-2909. You may use any form, or create one yourself, and it will be valid in Vermont as long as it is properly signed and witnessed. Once you have completed your Advance Directive, you should make copies to share with your doctor, your family, and your local hospital. In addition you can send a copy in to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry so that it can be available electronically to all who may need to have it in an emergency.


Two websites you may want to visit for assistance in completing your Advance Directive are www.vtethicsnetwork.org or, for information about registering your Advance Directive, the VT Dept. of Health website at: www.healthvermont.gov/vadr.


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On Your Own, 2008 Edition


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