260 likes | 463 Views
Plan for Rough Water with Advance Directives April 2014. Diane G. Miller Associate General Counsel State Education Assistance Authority Phone: (919) 248-4669 dmiller@ncseaa.edu. What are advance directives?. Legal documents that state your health care preferences in writing
E N D
Plan for Rough Water with Advance DirectivesApril 2014 Diane G. Miller Associate General Counsel State Education Assistance Authority Phone: (919) 248-4669 dmiller@ncseaa.edu
What are advance directives? • Legal documents that state your health care preferences in writing • Speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself • Provide instructions about what kind of medical care you want
Types of advance directives • Living will -- Declaration of a desire for a natural death • Health care power of attorney • Advance instruction for mental health treatment • Declaration of anatomical gift - organ donation
Why make advance directives? • Exercise your right to make decisions about your own treatment • End of life decisions are difficult even when you are healthy • Making decisions during a medical emergency makes it even more stressful • Act now so that your decisions are deliberate, informed and reflect your wishes • Reduce the burden on your family and friends
What is a living will? • One type of an advance directive • States choices you would make for yourself if you were unable to communicate • Gives instructions about the kind of life-prolonging medical care you want if you become unable to make your own decisions
What is a health care power of attorney? • Another type of advance directive • Allows someone else to make decisions about your medical care if you are unable to make your own decisions • Not limited to end of life decisions • Generally more useful than a living will • You must have another person you trust to make decisions for you
Communicate about your advance directives • Talk with your family and friends about your advance directives • Make sure your family and friends know your preferences • Explain the reasons behind your choices • Share your thoughts with people who you love and trust
https://www.secretary.state.nc.us/ahcdr/ • From the home page click on FORMS in the left column
A list of standard forms to prepare your advanced directives can be found in the center of the page
Forms are in PDF and Word format • Click the icons to select your format
Forms are in PDF and Word format • Click the icons to select your format
Where is your advance directive? • Give a copy to your primary health care provider and a trusted family member or friend • You may register your advance directives with the SOS • http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/ahcdr/ • $10 fee per document • To access the documents, a person must enter a unique file number and password