Encourage adults to think about their future care should they become incapacitated or terminally ill. Adults can express their preferences in writing
while they are healthy and able to make decisions. The legal documents that designate the wishes are called Advance Directives.These include:
Living Wills document the person's wishes regarding life-sustaining procedures. AS 18.12.010Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care designates a person's choice of who can make decisions about their medical care if they become incapable of doing so. AS 13.26.325
Tissue and Organ Donation documents a person's preference/permission for tissue and organ donations.
Wills document the selection of a guardian for children, distribution of assets and personal wishes for funeral services.
Ask About:
- "Have you thought about what you would like done if you became terminally ill, incapacitated or died?"
- "Have you discussed your wishes with your family?"
- "Have you made a living will with durable power of attorney for health care?" "Have you indicated your permission for organ and tissue donation?" "Have you made a will?"
- "Do you have an inventory which lists the location of the Advance Directives, plus any other documents that would be useful to family and friends?"
- "Remember that any document you establish can be changed if you change your mind."
