1.
THE AGENT YOU CHOOSE: The most important decision
for the Principal (one signing the health care directive)
is to choose a trustworthy, reliable Agent. No matter what
is written in a power of attorney, the Agent can effectively
nullify everything you order the Agent to do under the health
care powers. The biggest area of contention is found in
Part 2, INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE, on Page 4 of the Statutory
Form. It appears relatively simple for an Agent to follow
directions. However, there are all sorts of reasons why
an Agent might not want to follow your directions.
2.
SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SIGNING AN ADVANCE HEALTH
CARE DIRECTIVE: What will be really important to
you if you are in really serious trouble with your health?
What will be important to you when you are dying (e.g.,
family members present, no pain, physical comfort)?
How do you feel about the use of life-sustaining measures
in the face of:
a. Terminal illness.
b. Permanent coma.
c. Chronic illness or disability(Alzheimer’s disease).
d. Do you have strong feelings about particular medical
procedures (e.g., CPR, artificial nutrition and hydration,
antibiotics, kidney dialysis, chemotherapy, or radiation
therapy)?
e. Would your feelings about these procedures change
depending on your health condition and prognosis?
f. How do you feel about participating in clinical research
after you have lost capacity?
g. Do you want to consider financial matters when treatment
decisions are made?
h. How do you feel about placement in a nursing home
if your condition warrants it?
i. Do you wish to participate or share in making decisions
about your health care treatment?
j. What limitation to your physical and mental health
would affect your participation in your health care
decisions and treatments?
k. Would you always want to know the truth about your
condition even if it is very grim?
l. Would you want to be an organ donor at the time of
your death?
m. Would you wish to be buried or cremated at time of
your death?
n. Do you wish to make a personal statement about any
health care matters not covered above?
o. What else do you want to say about the care of your
physical being once someone else must care for you?
