Seniors are an important population for advance care planning. Texas Advance Directives are the documents used to help a person express his/her medical care wishes
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Texas Advance Care Planning
(Introduction of an Advance Directive)
Resource: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/advance_care.shtml
Texans are independent; they like to control their own lives. However, they rarely like to think about or discuss the final phase of life. As a result, they and their famlies are often unprepared for the sometimes difficult and distressing decisions that must be made.
Yet like most Americans, Texans also have strong feelings about what they consider quality care at the end of life. Surveys consistently show that people desire a peaceful death, free from pain, suffering, or a prolonged period of dependence. Achieving that good end of life has much to do with decisions that are made by individuals, their family members, and health care providers. Advance care planning is a way to address these issues and to ensure that your values, wishes, and choices are known and respected.
Advance care planning is the process by which an individual considers his or her personal values about the end of life, discusses those values with family or others close to them and health care providers, and completes the documents that record those decisions for the future. While this process is important for all age groups, some of the most difficult end-of-life decisions involve young people. Between the ages of one and 44, the most common cause of death is trauma (motor vehicle accidents, homicide, suicide, drowning). Such causes of death or profound, severe, permanent damage cannot be predicted. For this reason, EVERYONE needs advance care planning, not just older or chronically ill people.
Seniors are an important population for advance care planning not only because they are involved in the majority of end-of-life decisions, but also because at times they have no spouse or family member to speak on their behalf. And even when close family members are available, they do not automatically know your wishes. Studies have shown that spouses guess wrong more than half the time about what kind of treatment their husband or wife would want. You can help assure that your wishes will direct future health care by participating in advance care planning. The best way to approach this process is to think about these important issues when immediate decisions are not necessary and there is not great emotional stress.
Advance care planning involves two basic parts. The first is to decide what you want. To do that, you must understand what kinds of situations you may face and what options for care exist. But because it is impossible to predict every situation or illness, it is helpful to think in general about the quality of life that is important to you. These types of decisions are deeply personal and should be based on your values and beliefs. Numerous resources can help you examine and explore your views. Your health care provider; the Veterans Health Administration; local, state, or national organizations interested in end-of-life care; and the Internet are all good sources of information.
The second part of advance care planning is to communicate with others. Tell your family, others close to you, and your health care providers what kind of care you would want in different situations. Write your wishes down so that they are available if in the future you are not able to make your choices known. Consider who might best know your wishes and make decisions for you if you are unable to do so.
Advance Directives are the documents used to help a person express his or her wishes and values about medical care in case the person cannot, at some future time, speak for him or herself. There are three documents available in Texas to record this information.
They are: the Texas Directive to Physicians, Families or Surrogates (formerly known as a living will), the Medical Power of Attorney, and the Out of Hospital DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).
- Advance directives do NOT require a lawyer or a notary public.
- Advance directives are free.
- Advance directives require witnessing and, in the case of the Out of Hospital DNR, a physicians signature.
- Advance directives take effect only when you are unable to express your wishes for yourself.
- Advance directives are reversible.
CONTINUE by "Texas Advance Care Planning (Understanding Directive to Physicians, Families or Surrogates and Medical Power of Attorney)"
"Texas Advance Care Planning (Introduction of an Advance Directive)"
Return to all news and articles
Please read more related legal information:
Advance Health Care Directive Legal Information
Frequently Asked Questions
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