Where can I find...
www.elderoptionsoftexas.com
What is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order?
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is one kind of advance directive. A DNR is a request not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. (Unless given other instructions, hospital staff will try to help all patients whose heart has stopped or who have stopped breathing.) You can use an advance directive form or tell your doctor that you don't want to be resuscitated. In this case, a DNR order is put in your medical chart by your doctor. DNR orders are accepted by doctors and hospitals in all states.
Most patients who die in a hospital have had a DNR order written for them. Patients who are not likely to benefit from CPR include people who have cancer that has spread, people whose kidneys don't work well, people who need a lot of help with daily activities, or people who have severe infections such as pneumonia that require hospitalization. If you already have one or more of these conditions, you should discuss your wishes about CPR with your doctor, either in the doctor's office or when you go to the hospital. It's best to do this early, before you are very sick and are considered unable to make your own decisions.
What is a Living Will?
A living will is another type of advance directive. It only comes into effect when you are terminally ill. Being terminally ill generally means that you have less than six months to live. In a living will, you can describe the kind of treatment you want in certain situations. A living will doesn't let you select someone to make decisions for you.
What is a Medical Power of Attorney?
A Medical Power of Attorney (MPA) is also another kind of advance directive. A DPA states whom you have chosen to make health care decisions for you. It becomes active any time you are unconscious or unable to make medical decisions. A DPA is generally more useful than a living will. But a DPA may not be a good choice if you don't have another person you trust to make these decisions for you.
Living wills and DPAs are legal in most states. Even if they aren't officially recognized by the law in your state, they can still guide your loved ones and doctor if you are unable to make decisions about your medical care. Ask your doctor, lawyer or state representative about the law in your state.
Should I have an Advance Directive?
Most advance directives are written by older or seriously ill people. For example, someone with terminal cancer might write that she does not want to be put on a respirator if she stops breathing. This action can reduce her suffering, increase her peace of mind and increase her control over her death. However, even if you are in good health, you might want to consider writing an advance directive. An accident or serious illness can happen suddenly, and if you already have a signed advance directive, your wishes are more likely to be followed.
How can I write an Advance Directive?
You can write an advance directive in several ways:
- Use a form provided by your doctor.
- Write your wishes down by yourself.
- Call a lawyer.
- Contact a Texas Elder Law Attorney
- Use a computer software package for legal documents.
Advance directives and living wills do not have to be complicated legal documents. They can be short, simple statements about what you want done or not done if you can't speak for yourself. Remember, anything you write by yourself or with a computer software package should follow your state laws. The orders should be notarized if possible, and copies should be given to your family and your doctor.
To me, the Medical Power of Attorney is the the most important. I have one for me, Tom and Adam. Make your wishes known to everyone around you that could pitch a fit in an emergency. Not just Mary, make sure the kids understand YOUR wishes.
I had a DNR on my Mom and we had to enforce it for her in the end, but the Medical Power of Attorney gave us the right to make decisions for her healthcare. I got it on Tom right before we started shuttling him back and forth to Dallas and the medical community really takes notice of that one.
Good decision.
Be Kinder than Necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
need to make sure his dad and I and he are all on the same page too before he deploys agian
and no it is not morbid to get a will - it is called RESPONSIBLE as you know the military requires you to have one - b/c it makes life so much easyer and YOUR wishes are carried out
my dad did his at JAG and did not file it anywhere and his new wife of 2 months ended up with everythng b/c she "could not find his copy" and JAG does not keep copys - and tx has very specific laws on spouses getting things vs children in cases of no will
so lesson learned file the stupid thing someplace - collin county will let you umm registar isnot the right word but they will file offical copys of things for you - not just birth, death, adoption, etc but things that you can NOT lose like milirary paperwork
I know what I need to do - I have to choose to take care of me or I choose to fail
It looks like you were able to get the information. I do know that generally your local hospice will supply you w/ a DNR request form if you contact them for it. You can, in Texas - I believe, simply handwrite out a will and have it witnessed by 2 people who are not beneficiares of it.
However - keep in mind that in Texas - there are some laws regarding marital property that you can not override w/ a will.
Anne
George,
Rick and I just pulled up the forms online for a living will and also for a regular will and both signed it with a witness. One of the things that we learned the hard way when my brother was in ICU and unable to make decisions was also note on a separate form who you would like to make financial decisions (someone you trust with your bank accounts etc) if your unable to. This needs to be witnessed by a notary. BTW don't put these documents in a bank box, because heaven forbid something happen to you they seal the boxes. Needs to be in a place that someone knows about
Hugs,
Lynnette