How hospice palliative care can help with advance directives
It is hard to think about the end of your life. You may not want to complete legal documents that make you think about dying. But writing down your health care wishes in a legal documents can give you peace of mind. It can also allow you to spend time on more important things as you near the end of life.
In a representation agreement, you can appoint a person who you would want to speak for you if you could not speak for yourself. This person is called your substitute decision-maker. In your advance directive, also called a living will depending on your province or territory, you detail the kind of treatment you want or do not want. This includes issues like whether you want to be fed through a tube if you can no longer eat on your own.
The laws regarding advance directives vary by province and territory. If you do not have an advance directive, talk to your doctor. He or she may know what are legal advance directives in your province or territory. If you are worried about your wishes being followed, you may also want to see an attorney and outline in detail under what circumstances you want or don't want medical care or procedures.
| Author: | Colleen Cronin Douglas Dana | Last Updated: April 11, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Ira Byock, MD - Palliative Care Robin L. Fainsinger, MBChB, LMCC, CCFP - Palliative Care | |
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