Need Advice -- wording of Advanced Directives

Howdy:

Our hospital and doctor's office would like us to resubmit a Power of Attorney/Advanced Directives. That's good, because the last time we did this was in 2004, before PC. My wife and I have the same instructions. But I am wondering if we can improve the wording. I would like our wishes to be very brief and clear. Basically, if we are miserable and suffering and heroic efforts will only prolong such misery, then DON'T DO IT.

Anyway, the following is what we have down from 2004.

A: Specific Instructions Regarding Care I do Want

I want care that will keep me comfortable and pain free as much as possible and lucid if possible while pain free.

B: Specific Instructions Regarding Care I do Not Want

If it is clear medically that life-sustaining treatments will not improve my quality of life, then it should be discontinued (or not initiated).


Anyway, we are fine with the wording of part A, although suggestions for improvement by my HW family are welcome. We like Part B, but we are not sure if it is clear enough. Suppose life-sustaining treatment will merely prolong life, but without a whole lot of suffering? That would probably be fine. Part B doesn't quite say that.

So, any suggestions. I want it to be BRIEF

Mel

I don't have a suggestion. My solution to the problem was to outsource the whole thing. Yup, I hired a local lawyer to write up for me.

Andrew

Hi Mel,
Did you try a Google search for wording.
My husband and I are updating our trust next week. We need to update our directives too, while we're at it. Thanks for reminder. Wish I could be more help.
Beth

I think the fuzzy thing that gets a LOT of situations out of control is the question of a feeding tube. Frequently they are put in as part of a true healing effort (following abdominal surgery for example), but once in and the patient becomes terminal, it leads to huge court fights about removal. I haven't completely thought this through. My specific statement on a feeding tube (and some experts suggest a specific statement) might be something like this:

I specifically state that a feeding tube, if in place for a legitimate medical reason, can be removed if my condition deteriorates to a point where the treating physicians believe that survival from the underlying condition(s) is impossible.

Halbert:

Very well-phrased. But I think that's exactly what my statement says. I wanted also to include artificial breathing devices.

Unfortunately, such situations put tremendous pressure on loved ones who act as our agents. This is the reason to try and put some specificity into the statement -- for guidance purposes.

It's amazing but most of these forms leave very little space to write this in. I could say "see attached sheet." But I also see the advantage of being brief, as one can't cover every conceivable situation.

Mel

JackH:

Very good points. I wanted a tad more specificity than my original prose, and a bit more than yours. I think my little tweak will do that. You point out the danger in saying too much.

My wife and I are of like mind and we are each doing the forms. We plan to write the same thing.

Interesting that in the original, we designated my sister-in-law as the secondary agent (in case the primary, my wife in my case, is unable to carry out those duties).

This time, our son has matured and recently passed the bar exam. I will ask him to do it.

Mel

Michigan.

The forms were provided by my doctor's office.

Mel