The number one reason to plan ahead for a health care crisis is peace of mind for yourself and for your loved ones.
It has become more important than ever before to leave a guide for others to follow if you become unable to speak for yourself, due to illness or accident.
Healthcare providers must preserve life. Technology continues to advance medical treatment options. Have you considered the healthcare treatments you would and would not want? Have you discussed your preferences with your loved ones? What if you could not speak for yourself? Have you executed documents giving advance directives for your loved ones and the health care team to follow?
What is a Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR)?
Do Not Resuscitate orders are signed by the patient and their physician when deciding not to be resuscitated in the event of cardiac or respiratory failure and imminent death. In Florida, the form is printed on yellow paper, otherwise EMTs will not abide by it. Keep a cop on your refrigerator with a magnet and a small copy in your wallet or purse. You can get the form on-line at the Florida department of Health website.
Do you want your Organs or Tissue donated? Organ donation can be added to your driver’s license and be sure to include your preference in your documents.
Do other people know what your wishes are? What are your concerns? Please share your wishes and your concerns with your physicians, your family, and your friends.
What is the one thing that you want to be sure your doctors, family and friends know about your wishes?
Take this valuable opportunity to reflect on what’s important and share with your loved ones. Discussion and documentation must happen before a crisis. Open discussion and communication of one’s wishes and concerns along with properly executed legal documents prior to a crisis provide comfort to you and to your loved ones.
It is up to YOU to initiate the conversation and to explore documents such as a Healthcare Surrogate, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, Healthcare Agent, or Proxy, HIPPA release and Living Will.
Diana Mangsen focuses her practice as an elder law attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.
For more information, visit our website at
https://www.mangsenlaw.com/
or call (727) 888-6282.