The Importance of Completing End of Life Paperwork

Does your family and health care provider know what your wishes are for your health future if you should become unable to share them with others? Have you written it down and given it to your doctor? I would highly recommend that everyone, regardless of age, prepare these documents and keep them at hand. A friend was talking about Advance Directives with someone the other day, and asked her if she had one, and her reply was, "Well, I'm only 70 years old. I don't need one."

I believe that people of all ages, but especially 50 and up, need to have at least two documents in their portfolio-an Advance Directive and a Durable Power of Attorney. Big words for simple, easy-to-prepare documents. The Advance Directive (or Living Will) is a statement of what measures you would want if you were unable to make health care decisions for yourself, such as feeding tubes, artificial hydration, and ventilation. If you would want your life saved at all costs, regardless of your prognosis, then this document would indicate that choice. If you would not, then those wishes would be made clearly known.

The Durable Power of Attorney appoints someone of your choice to be allowed to make medical decisions for you if you cannot. This can be a spouse, adult child, friend, or parent.

Both of these documents can be prepared easily in the comfort of your own home and do not need to be notarized. They only need to be witnessed and signed by two parties who are not related to you. Most states have official forms that are fairly easy to read and understand and should be available at any doctor's office or hospital. Another form is called Five Wishes and this Advance Directive and Durable Power of Attorney for health care is valid in most states in the US. Additionally, any home health or hospice agency keeps a supply of Advance Directives on hand at all times. After you fill out the document, be sure to make plenty of copies. Keep several on hand after giving copies to your family members, your doctor, and your hospital. Depending on the individual form, you may have to have it notarized or witnessed by at least two impartial parties, such as a friend.

Another document I highly recommend is an ethical will. This is a letter to those you love, expressing all that you wish them to know in your absence. It can be whatever you want it to be-a chronicle of your life, a statement of your values, poetry, a list of accomplishments that you're most proud of, what you'd do if you had it to do all over, advice to young family members, and so forth. The ethical will is truly a beautiful way to share your inmost thoughts, beliefs, and memories with your loved ones. Don't put completing these important documents off!

Paula Schneider, MPH, RN, BSN, CHPN