Preparing A Living Will And End-Of Life Care Options

Although your final wishes may not be first and foremost on your mind making difficult decisions regarding life-sustaining medical procedures when you're in good health and recording the results in power of attorney in Halifax Nova Scotia will ensure that your health care wishes will be fulfilled when you're unable to make decisions for yourself. This gives loved ones the assurance that your wishes are being respected in the event you make these choices.

Living will and health insurance power of attorney

What is an living will?

Living wills are legal documents which sets out your health care preferences for the eventuality that you become chronically or terminally ill or become incapacitated due to an injury, illness or the advancing age. A living will is essential since it conveys your wishes to loved ones and gives guidance when making difficult decisions. It takes thought and planning to make the living will.

A living will allows health care providers as well as your family know what life-saving medical treatments you would like or do not want. Each state defines the parameters differently, so be sure to check your state's laws. Since a living will can't be able to anticipate all possible scenarios Experts recommend using your living will along with a health power of attorney in order to draft an advance directive, also known as an advanced health care directive.

What is a health power of attorney?

A health power of attorney for health care, or medical power of attorney, is a legal document that grants power to another person to make health-related decisions for you if you become so ill or injured that it is impossible to do it for yourself. This person is called an health care agent or health care proxy. Be sure that your health care representative is one you can trust to be your advocate and to be there for a significant amount of time, and to remain steady during a highly emotional time.

Making a living will/advance directive

You can either engage an attorney, or do it yourself

An attorney who is focused on estate planning can create an advance directive on your behalf, and will be familiar with the laws of your state. Even though you can make one yourself, you must to ensure that it meets the requirements of your state. You can choose to making use of legal document software, or a living will that is free from your physician, local senior center, or the state's medical association that lets you download an advance directive form that is specific to the state you reside in.

Find out what laws your state has

Whatever way advance directives are created, you should check the laws for your particular state. You must be 18 years old and of sound mind at the time you create your living will in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. You may need witnesses or notarization, based the location you reside in.

The needs of your loved ones at the end of life must be taken into consideration

Determine what medical treatment you would like for yourself, such as artificial respiration, palliative treatment or nourishment, when you get near the end of your life or have become totally disabled. These medical issues must be researched and discussed with your doctor. Make a note of your choices after you've made them.

Review your living will as needed

Your advance directive doesn't have to be set in stone. You are able to alter your mind or circumstances as you age, decline, or experience a major life event like the death or divorce.

Share your health care wishes

Your health care professional as well as your family

Your loved ones as well as your health care agent must be informed of your advance directive. So your health care representative will be able to act on your behalf and your family will be informed in the event of a crisis.

Keep your advance directive in a safe place

Make sure your living will and health power of legal are stored in a secure place where your health care provider is able to access, should they need.

Print copies of your advance directive

If you are going to undergo a major procedure, be sure to send your doctor an advance directive.

While drafting an advance directive might be difficult for the immediate time, its long-term benefit is the peace of mind that you'll be taken care of according to your wishes and that your loved ones will be relieved of having to make these tough decisions for you during a difficult and stressful period of. pies of your advance directive

In addition to your health care agent and family, give a copy of your advance directive to your physician to keep on file, as well as to your hospital, if going in for a major procedure.

While creating a living will or advance directive may be difficult in the short term, its long-term benefit is knowing that you will be taken care of according to your wishes and that your loved ones will be relieved from having to make these tough decisions for you during an emotionally stressful time.