There is a federal law called the Patient Self-Determination Act. It
requires hospitals and nursing homes to give you information about your rights as a
patient under their care. Advance directives are a legal way for you to declare
your wishes regarding the withholding or removal of life-sustaining care if you:
Suffer from a terminal illness, or
Are in an incurable or irreversible mental
or physical condition with no reasonable expectations of recovery
There are two types of advance directives:
Living Will - A
document that spells out what medical treatment you would want or not want if you were
unable to state it yourself. Most states have their own living will form, or you can make
up your own. You should discuss your living will with your family and physician.
Durable Power of Attorney
(Health-Care Proxy) - A document that names a person who would make treatment
decisions for you if you are not able to make them yourself.
Generally, it is a person who knows you and your values well, 
and is in a good
position to represent your wishes to your physician.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99