Making an Advance Directive.  Have you ever wondered what happens if people become too sick to make their own medical decisions?  Someone must decide the course of treatment - when to start treatment, when not to start, when to stop it, or when to change it.  Family members and doctors are usually charged with making these tough decisions when the patient is not able.

Sometimes these well-intentioned individuals may not be sure what's best, and they may disagree.  That's why it is good to know in advance what the patient would want and whom the patient would want to make those decisions.  It will help your family, close friends and physicians if you have filled out an advance directive form.  Having one in place empowers you - if you've made your wishes clear, they're likely to be followed.

FAQs About Advance Directives

As the patient, am I required to fill out any forms?  No, you don't have to fill out any forms if you don't want to.  You can just talk your options over with your family, and ask your doctors to write down what you say in you medical chart.  But it's a very good idea to fill out an advance directive form.  That way your treatment wishes will be made clear and will be more likely to be followed.

Will I still be treated if I don't fill out these forms?  Absolutely.  You will still receive medical treatment.  We just want you to know that if you become too sick to make decisions, someone else will have to make them for you.  Please remember:

A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare lets you name someone to make treatment decisions for you.  This person can make most medical decisions - not just those about life-sustaining treatment - when you can't speak for yourself.  In addition to naming an agent, you can use the form to say when you would and wouldn't want particular kinds of treatment.

If you don't have someone to name to make these decisions when you can't, you can sign a Natural Death Act Declaration.  This declaration says that you do not want life-prolonging treatment if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious.

How can I get more information about advance directives?  Your doctor, nurse or social worker should be able to provide this information.

Who decides about my treatment?  Your doctor will give you information and advice about treatment.  You have the right to choose.  You can say "yes" to treatments you want.  You can say "no" to treatments you don't want - even if the proposed treatment may keep you alive longer.

Your doctor must inform you completely and candidly about your medical condition and about what different treatments can do for you.  Many treatments have "side effects."  Your doctor must offer you the information you need about serious problems that medical treatment options could cause you.

It's certainly possible for people to have different ideas about which treatment option is best for you.  Your doctor can give you all the information on treatments available to you, but can't choose for you.  That choice is up to you.

What if I'm too sick to decide?  If you can't make treatment decisions, your doctor will ask your closest available relative or friend to help decide what is best for you.  But sometimes everyone doesn't agree about what to do.  That's why it is helpful if you say in advance what you want to take place if you become unable to speak for yourself.

Under California law, one kind of advance directives lets you name someone to make healthcare decisions when you can't.  It's called a Durable of Attorney for Healthcare.

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