New York Advance Medical Directives: Facts, Questions and Options

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New York Advance Medical Directives
Facts Questions Options
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Medical directives allow you to choose the kind
of health care you do or do not want to receive
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should you become unable to communicate or make
decisions.
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2 different types of Medical Directives
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A living will is a document in which you list the
kinds of treatments you do or do not want to
receive.
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Requirements
Requirements
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Must be made in writing.
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When you make a living will you have to sign it.
If you are physically unable to sign it you can
direct someone else to do so on your behalf.
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Have your living will signed in your presence
by two competent adult witnesses.
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You must include the date on which you signed
the document, as well as the dates when the
witnesses signed.
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MEDICAL CHOICES
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You can make your living will as
Detailed
As you like
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but they typically address several key medical
scenarios, such as
CPR, mechanical respiration, artificial
nutrition, hydration, or feeding tubes and
medication for pain relief
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A health care proxy is a document in which you
name someone who will be able to
make choices for you should you become
incapacitated.
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Requirements
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Like your living will, you have to make a health
care proxy in writing. It also has to meet
specific requirements.
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sign and date your health care proxy and have it
signed by two competent adult witnesses. AKA
signed, dated, and witnessed
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You have to select someone who will serve as your
representative or proxy.
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If your original choice proxy cannot or will not
serve,
you need to include the name of at least one
alternate.
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Proxy requirements
Not just anyone can serve as a health care proxy.
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All proxies must be at least 18 years old unless
that person is your spouse.
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You cannot name your doctor as your health care
proxy.
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Your proxy must be willing to serve and can
refuse to accept the appointment.
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You are never obligated to create a living will
or health care proxy.
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Both of these documents are completely optional
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But if you choose not to make them and you later
become incapacitated, someone else will have to
make medical decisions for you.
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Depending on your circumstances that person might
be
your parents, your spouse, or someone appointed
by a judge after a hearing.
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If you choose to make a medical directive you
can always change your mind later on.
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You can choose to revoke any directive you have
made, change its terms, add additional
limitations, or choose someone new to make
decisions for you.
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You can do this either by
communicating your wishes to your physician, OR
making a new medical directive.
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COMMON QUESTIONS About Directives
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Advance directives are not an either or choice,
and you should always make both a living will and
a health care proxy.
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Which One Is Better?
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Complementary
Health care proxies and living wills are designed
to work together.
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The living will informs your proxy about the
kinds of care you do or do not want to receive.
The proxy communicates your wishes to your health
care providers and makes decisions when your
living will is silent.
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Precautions
If you name a health care proxy but your doctors
are unable to reach that person, your living will
can serve as a backup.
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Do I Need to Register My Directives?
No, but you should take steps to ensure that your
advance directives are available if they are
needed.
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Copies
After making your directives its best to make
several copies and give them to your proxy,
alternate proxies, and your family physician. You
might also consider giving copies to close family
members.
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Conversations
You should let your family know that you have
made advance directives.
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Other considerations
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Choosing a Proxy or Health Care Agent
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• Many people choose family members
• as their health care proxies, but this
• isnt necessary.

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Consider the following factors when choosing a
proxy
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If you choose one family member over another,
this may cause conflict between family members.
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Your proxy needs to not only be willing to serve,
but also willing to enforce the decisions you
have made.
If your proxy is uncomfortable with some of your
choices you need to consider someone else.
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Availability
Choose a proxy who can be easily located should a
medical emergency arise.
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You should never name two or more people as your
health care proxy. Choose one person whom you
believe is reliable and name the other as an
alternate.
Co-Proxies
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You might also want to sign a do-not-resuscitate
order, also known as a DNR.
This tells your healthcare providers that you do
not want to be revived should you stop breathing
or if your heart stops beating.
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conclusions
CONCLUSIONS
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Even though elderly people are more likely to
need advance medical directives, every capable
adult should have them.
Not Just for the Elderly
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You never know when you might be involved in an
accident or suffer a medical condition that
leaves you unconscious.
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If you are rendered unconscious or unable to
communicate, you lose your ability to create
directives. This will require others to make
medical decisions for you.
Incapacity
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Not Creating Directives Can Cause Harm
If you dont have a directive you can
inadvertently cause significant harm to yourself
and your family.
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Your family members want what is best for you,
but they dont always know what you would have
wanted.
If you dont make your choices clear you might
cause family conflict.
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If your family cannot agree to decide on what you
would have wanted
it may lead to a court battle.
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• Creating an advance directive now is much cheaper

• than the possibility of having to hire an
  attorney to fight a legal battle in court.

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