Would you want a breathing tube to keep you alive? For many people, that's a tough question to answer. But it is usually a tougher question to answer on behalf of someone else, even if it is someone very close to you. And all too often, it is the loved ones who have to make that decision, or dozens of other similar decisions governing the sort of care someone receives at the end of life.
With America's aging Baby Boomer population, more people are realizing that they need to address how they would like to be cared for at the end of their lives, even if that end is not anywhere in sight. For many in South Carolina, that involves preparing two documents, a living will (also known as an advanced directive or health care directive) and a health care power of attorney.
A living will allows you to tell both family and medical professionals how you would like to be cared for if you cannot express your desires yourself (such as whether you would like a feeding tube if you cannot consume food or an oxygen tube if you cannot breathe on your own). A health care power of attorney lets you designate a particular person to make your health care decisions for you if you either temporarily or permanently if you cannot make them yourself.
Without a living will in place, medical personnel will generally take the most aggressive steps possible to keep someone alive - steps that may be contrary to that person's wishes, if he or she were able to express them. Taking such steps without proper authorization could constitute medical malpractice. But why take that chance? Instead, it makes sense to clarify your intentions while you still can.
It's a good idea to think about these decisions at major milestones in life, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of children. An attorney can discuss the issues and help you prepare the proper documents.
It's also very important to have a discussion with your family and friends about your expectations toward the end of life. You should let them know of your wishes and where your important documents can be found. It is also important that the person you select to make your health care decisions knows he or she has this responsibility.
Several states have adopted a new type of document called Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or Polst. A Polst, which is signed by both the patient and the doctor, spells out very specific treatment instructions and is kept as part of the patient's medical record. South Carolina has not yet adopted legal recognition of Polst documents, but their rapid adoption in other states suggests that South Carolina may soon allow this type of medical directive, as well.
