Let’s face it. Most of us don’t even want to think about dying, let alone talk about it. But talking about it, and sharing our end-of-life wishes with our families, is exactly what we need to do. That’s why an understanding of Advance Directives, or Living Wills, is vitally important.
Every person, regardless of age or health, has a right to spend his or her final days in comfort with loved ones. We also have the right to participate in advance care planning and to have our end-of-life wishes followed. Yet, despite the availability of pain-relieving drugs, research has shown that too many people spend their final days in pain, thus destroying their quality of life.
Many people are unaware that options exist that will provide comfort and dignity during this difficult time. Studies have shown that 80% of physicians do not know their patients’ end-of-life wishes, and that most Advance Directives are written within two days of death, usually in the Intensive Care Unit.
Make sure your wishes are honored
Anyone who is 18 years of age or older, of sound mind, and has ability to communicate a healthcare decision may execute a Living Will Directive. Based on a person’s wishes, Advance Directives/Living Wills direct the withholding or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration, or designate one or more adults to make healthcare decisions on the patient’s behalf. Advance Directives are not effective until the patient has no decision-making capacity as determined by the attending physician, has a terminal condition, or is permanently unconscious.
The Living Will Directive form is simple as prescribed by Kentucky law. It must be in writing, signed and dated by the patient, and witnessed by two or more adults or acknowledged before a notary.
People who may not witness a Living Will Directive are blood relatives, beneficiaries of the patient, attending physicians, anyone financially responsible for the patient’s health care, or employees of the healthcare facility unless the employee is a notary.
Without a Living Will, your decisions will be made for you by an appointed guardian, your spouse, your adult child (or the majority of your children who are reasonably available for consultation), your parents, or your nearest living relative.
It is a gift to your family from you when you have an Advance Directive/Living Will because they will not be forced to make difficult decisions during difficult situations. They will know, thanks to your advance planning and direction, what your wishes are regarding your end-of-life healthcare.
If you have not executed a Living Will, you may obtain Advance Directive forms from any nursing unit at Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center.
For more information about Advance Directives/Living Wills, consult your attorney or call the hospital’s Social Services office at 270-259-9555.