UPDATES IN MICHIGAN FAMILY LAW

The Five Wishes: A "Living Will" with "a Heart & Soul"

In an earlier post, I wrote about why people should consider having an advance medical directive that appoints a trusted relative or friend to make medical decisions for her if she is unable to make those decisions herself because she’s in a coma, or is otherwise unable to communicate with doctors. This post concerns the form in which a medical directive should or could be made.

One well-known directive is called Five Wishes. Many hospitals distribute this directive, which meets the requirements of the District of Columbia and 35 states. It can be ordered from the Internet at www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html, and there is a list on the website of the states where it is legal. Persons who live in other states should consult with a lawyer in their state to see how the requirements compare. Five Wishes is also available from Aging with Dignity at P.O. Box 1661, Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1661.

How the Use of an Advance Medical Directive Can Help Elderly Clients

Some decisions are best not left until the end of life. One of these is the ability to put safeguards in place regarding treatment during last illnesses. If your loved one makes a designation naming you as her patient advocate or health care agent, you will have the authority to direct and empower a physician, nursing home, or hospital to rely upon your treatment decisions if she is unable to participate in those decisions.

A proper designation will make tackling decisions for a loved one at the end of life far, far easier and may permit your loved one to die with dignity. Advance directives eliminate any guesswork about what her wishes might have been. This is especially important is she has lost the ability to communicate or if the religious beliefs of your loved one may conflict with those of others in the family—especially others who may believe that they have a right to call the shots. Most important, by using an advance directive, your loved one will be able to make her wishes as to her final care clear and binding in order to eliminate any the possibility that siblings’ emotions such as guilt, grief, or potential conflicts of interest may cloud the issues.