ADVANCEDIRECTIVES

You Need To KNow . . .

• You can decide right now what medical treatments you want or don’t want.

• You can tell your doctor or loved ones these decisions now so that if you become too sick to tell them, they ’ll know what you want them to do.

• You can choose someone you trust to make these decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself.

• You can write these decisions down in a document called an advance directive.

Co N Ta C T IN f o r m aT I o N :Oncology (317) 421-1812

ICU (317) 398-5283

Med/Surg (317) 398-5290

Social Services (317) 398-5240

Discharge Planning (317) 398-5268

ma j o r Ho s p I Ta l

150 W. Wash ington S t reetShe lbyv i l le, IN 46176

www.ma jo rhosp i ta l .o rg

frequeNTlY asKed

quesT IoNs

What happens if i become unable to make my oWn medical decisions?Unless you make arrangements, your health care decisions will be made by someone else if you become unable to consent or refuse your own medical treatments. In Indiana, these decisions may be made by whomever your doctor talks to in your immediate family (meaning your spouse, parent, adult child, brother or sister) or by a person appointed by a court.

Also in Indiana, however, you can write down your own decisions about your future medical treatment if you wish. Or you can appoint a person to make these decisions for you when you are not able to do so. You can even disqualify someone you don’t want to make any health decisions for you. You can do these things by having what is called an advance directive.

What can i do noW to express my Wishes in case i become unable to tell my doctor or family?You have three ways you can make your wishes known:

• You can speak directly to your doctor and your family.

• You can appoint someone to speak or decide for you.

• You can write specific medical instructions.

can i change my mind after i Write an advance directive?Yes: You can change your mind about your appointments or about your living will at any time. However, you need to make various people aware that you’ve changed your mind – like your doctor, your family, or the person you’ve appointed, and you might have to revoke your decision in writing. Be sure to state your wishes clearly and be sure they are understood.

What if i make an advance directive in indiana and i am hospitalized in a different state or vice versa?The law on honoring an advance directive in or from another state is unclear. It may be honored wherever you are if it is made known. You may wish to consider having your advance directive meet the laws of all of the states where you spend time.

What should i do With my advance directive if i choose to have one?Make sure that someone, such as your lawyer or a family member, knows that you have an advance directive and knows where it is located. You should give a copy of your power of attorney document to the person you have appointed. You may also decide to ask your doctor or other health care provider to make your advance directive a part of your permanent medical record. Another idea would be to keep a second copy of the directive in a safe place where it can be found easily. You might keep a small card in your purse or wallet that states that you have an advance directive and where it is located or who your attorney is.

Will i be refused care if i have an advanced directive?No: No treatment will be withheld or stopped until your doctor determines that it would no longer benefit you as you’d wish.

ADVANCEDIRECTIVES

You Need To KNow . . .

• You can decide right now what medical treatments you want or don’t want.

• You can tell your doctor or loved ones these decisions now so that if you become too sick to tell them, they ’ll know what you want them to do.

• You can choose someone you trust to make these decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself.

• You can write these decisions down in a document called an advance directive.

Co N Ta C T IN f o r m aT I o N :Oncology (317) 421-1812

ICU (317) 398-5283

Med/Surg (317) 398-5290

Social Services (317) 398-5240

Discharge Planning (317) 398-5268

ma j o r Ho s p I Ta l

150 W. Wash ington S t reetShe lbyv i l le, IN 46176

www.ma jo rhosp i ta l .o rg

frequeNTlY asKed

quesT IoNs

What happens if i become unable to make my oWn medical decisions?Unless you make arrangements, your health care decisions will be made by someone else if you become unable to consent or refuse your own medical treatments. In Indiana, these decisions may be made by whomever your doctor talks to in your immediate family (meaning your spouse, parent, adult child, brother or sister) or by a person appointed by a court.

Also in Indiana, however, you can write down your own decisions about your future medical treatment if you wish. Or you can appoint a person to make these decisions for you when you are not able to do so. You can even disqualify someone you don’t want to make any health decisions for you. You can do these things by having what is called an advance directive.

What can i do noW to express my Wishes in case i become unable to tell my doctor or family?You have three ways you can make your wishes known:

• You can speak directly to your doctor and your family.

• You can appoint someone to speak or decide for you.

• You can write specific medical instructions.

can i change my mind after i Write an advance directive?Yes: You can change your mind about your appointments or about your living will at any time. However, you need to make various people aware that you’ve changed your mind – like your doctor, your family, or the person you’ve appointed, and you might have to revoke your decision in writing. Be sure to state your wishes clearly and be sure they are understood.

What if i make an advance directive in indiana and i am hospitalized in a different state or vice versa?The law on honoring an advance directive in or from another state is unclear. It may be honored wherever you are if it is made known. You may wish to consider having your advance directive meet the laws of all of the states where you spend time.

What should i do With my advance directive if i choose to have one?Make sure that someone, such as your lawyer or a family member, knows that you have an advance directive and knows where it is located. You should give a copy of your power of attorney document to the person you have appointed. You may also decide to ask your doctor or other health care provider to make your advance directive a part of your permanent medical record. Another idea would be to keep a second copy of the directive in a safe place where it can be found easily. You might keep a small card in your purse or wallet that states that you have an advance directive and where it is located or who your attorney is.

Will i be refused care if i have an advanced directive?No: No treatment will be withheld or stopped until your doctor determines that it would no longer benefit you as you’d wish.

ADVANCEDIRECTIVES

You Need To KNow . . .

• You can decide right now what medical treatments you want or don’t want.

• You can tell your doctor or loved ones these decisions now so that if you become too sick to tell them, they ’ll know what you want them to do.

• You can choose someone you trust to make these decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself.

• You can write these decisions down in a document called an advance directive.

Co N Ta C T IN f o r m aT I o N :Oncology (317) 421-1812

ICU (317) 398-5283

Med/Surg (317) 398-5290

Social Services (317) 398-5240

Discharge Planning (317) 398-5268

ma j o r Ho s p I Ta l

150 W. Wash ington S t reetShe lbyv i l le, IN 46176

www.ma jo rhosp i ta l .o rg

frequeNTlY asKed

quesT IoNs

What happens if i become unable to make my oWn medical decisions?Unless you make arrangements, your health care decisions will be made by someone else if you become unable to consent or refuse your own medical treatments. In Indiana, these decisions may be made by whomever your doctor talks to in your immediate family (meaning your spouse, parent, adult child, brother or sister) or by a person appointed by a court.

Also in Indiana, however, you can write down your own decisions about your future medical treatment if you wish. Or you can appoint a person to make these decisions for you when you are not able to do so. You can even disqualify someone you don’t want to make any health decisions for you. You can do these things by having what is called an advance directive.

What can i do noW to express my Wishes in case i become unable to tell my doctor or family?You have three ways you can make your wishes known:

• You can speak directly to your doctor and your family.

• You can appoint someone to speak or decide for you.

• You can write specific medical instructions.

can i change my mind after i Write an advance directive?Yes: You can change your mind about your appointments or about your living will at any time. However, you need to make various people aware that you’ve changed your mind – like your doctor, your family, or the person you’ve appointed, and you might have to revoke your decision in writing. Be sure to state your wishes clearly and be sure they are understood.

What if i make an advance directive in indiana and i am hospitalized in a different state or vice versa?The law on honoring an advance directive in or from another state is unclear. It may be honored wherever you are if it is made known. You may wish to consider having your advance directive meet the laws of all of the states where you spend time.

What should i do With my advance directive if i choose to have one?Make sure that someone, such as your lawyer or a family member, knows that you have an advance directive and knows where it is located. You should give a copy of your power of attorney document to the person you have appointed. You may also decide to ask your doctor or other health care provider to make your advance directive a part of your permanent medical record. Another idea would be to keep a second copy of the directive in a safe place where it can be found easily. You might keep a small card in your purse or wallet that states that you have an advance directive and where it is located or who your attorney is.

Will i be refused care if i have an advanced directive?No: No treatment will be withheld or stopped until your doctor determines that it would no longer benefit you as you’d wish.

def IN IT IoNsdnr:Do not resuscitate is a physician order that states that you do NOT want CPR.

health care directive:A legal document that reflects the patients wishes for treatment at the end of life.

life-prolonging procedure declaration:This document is the opposite of a living will. You can use this document if you want all life-prolonging medical treatments used to extend your life.

puTT INg wIsHes INTo wr IT INg

advance directiveDecisions made in advance that relate to the provision of medical care and/or financial affairs in the event a person is unable to make decisions. A patient must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind when executing any advance directive.

healthcare treatment directive:A document which allows individuals to state their wishes regarding healthcare decisions. It is more comprehensive than most living wills as it is not necessarily restricted to use only when one is terminally ill.

terminal condition:A condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty:

• There can be no recovery.• Death will occur from the terminal condition

within a short period of time without the provision of life prolonging procedures.

cpr cardio-pulmonary massage:An emergency procedure often used after cardiac arrest in which cardiac massage, artificial respiration, and drugs are used to maintain the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain. This procedure normally consists of applying force to the chest to compress the heart once per second while at the same time applying mouth to mouth resuscitation to inflate the lungs.

wHaT are mY CHoICes?

• Advance directives are documents to protect your rights to determine your own medical treatment. They help your family and doctor understand your wishes about your health care.

• Your advance directive will not take away your right to continue to decide for yourself what you want. This is true even under the most serious medical conditions. Your advance directive will speak for you only when you are unable to speak for yourself, or when your doctor determines that you are no longer able to understand enough to make your own treatment decisions.

indiana recognizes seven types of advance directives: 1. living Will:

A living will is a document that puts into words your wishes in the event that you become terminally ill and unable to communicate. It is an advance directive that lists the specific care or treatment you want or do not want during a terminal illness. It will often include directions for CPR, artificial nutrition, maintenance on a respirator, and blood transfusions. A living will is used to tell your physician and family that life-prolonging treatments should not be used so that you are allowed to die naturally. Your living will does not have to prohibit all life-prolonging treatments, but it should list your specific choices. For example, it may state that you do not want to be placed on a respirator, but that you want a feeding tube for nutrition. You may even specify that someone else should make decisions for you.

2. psychiatric advance directive:Any person may make a psychiatric advance directive if he/she has legal capacity. This written document expresses your preferences and consent to treatment measures for a specific diagnosis. The directive sets guidelines for the care and treatment of a mental illness during periods of incapacity.

3. health care representative:A health care representative is a person you choose to receive health care information and make health care decisions for you when you cannot. Your health care representative may agree to or refuse medical care and treatments when you are unable to do so. Your representative will make these choices based on your advance directive. If you want, in certain cases and in consultation with your physician, your health care representative may decide if food, water, or respiration should be given

artificially as part of your medical treatment. Naming a health care representative must be done in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by another adult.

4. poWer of attorney:A power of attorney (also referred to as a durable power of attorney) is another kind of advance directive. This document is used to grant another person control over your affairs. Your power of attorney document may cover financial matters, give health care authority, or both. By giving this power to another person, you give this person your power of attorney. Your power of attorney document must be in writing and signed in the presence of a notary public.

5. out of hospital “do not resuscitate” declaration and order:

If you have a terminal condition and you do not want CPR while you are in a hospital or health facility setting, your physician will write a “do not resuscitate” order in your medical chart. If you are home when an emergency occurs, there is no medical chart or physician’s order. For situations outside of a hospital or health facility, the Out of Hospital “Do Not Resuscitate” Declaration and Order is used to state your wishes.

6. organ and tissue donation: Increasing the quality of life for another person is the ultimate gift. Donating your organs is a way to help others. Making your wishes clear concerning organ donation to your physician and family is an important first step.

7. talking to your physician and family: One of the most important things to do is to talk about your health care wishes with your physician. Your physician can follow your wishes only if he or she knows what they are. Discussing your wishes with your physician allows him or her to record your choices in your medical chart for future reference. If you have written an advance directive, it is important you give a copy to your physician.

def IN IT IoNsdnr:Do not resuscitate is a physician order that states that you do NOT want CPR.

health care directive:A legal document that reflects the patients wishes for treatment at the end of life.

life-prolonging procedure declaration:This document is the opposite of a living will. You can use this document if you want all life-prolonging medical treatments used to extend your life.

puTT INg wIsHes INTo wr IT INg

advance directiveDecisions made in advance that relate to the provision of medical care and/or financial affairs in the event a person is unable to make decisions. A patient must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind when executing any advance directive.

healthcare treatment directive:A document which allows individuals to state their wishes regarding healthcare decisions. It is more comprehensive than most living wills as it is not necessarily restricted to use only when one is terminally ill.

terminal condition:A condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty:

• There can be no recovery.• Death will occur from the terminal condition

within a short period of time without the provision of life prolonging procedures.

cpr cardio-pulmonary massage:An emergency procedure often used after cardiac arrest in which cardiac massage, artificial respiration, and drugs are used to maintain the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain. This procedure normally consists of applying force to the chest to compress the heart once per second while at the same time applying mouth to mouth resuscitation to inflate the lungs.

wHaT are mY CHoICes?

• Advance directives are documents to protect your rights to determine your own medical treatment. They help your family and doctor understand your wishes about your health care.

• Your advance directive will not take away your right to continue to decide for yourself what you want. This is true even under the most serious medical conditions. Your advance directive will speak for you only when you are unable to speak for yourself, or when your doctor determines that you are no longer able to understand enough to make your own treatment decisions.

indiana recognizes seven types of advance directives: 1. living Will:

A living will is a document that puts into words your wishes in the event that you become terminally ill and unable to communicate. It is an advance directive that lists the specific care or treatment you want or do not want during a terminal illness. It will often include directions for CPR, artificial nutrition, maintenance on a respirator, and blood transfusions. A living will is used to tell your physician and family that life-prolonging treatments should not be used so that you are allowed to die naturally. Your living will does not have to prohibit all life-prolonging treatments, but it should list your specific choices. For example, it may state that you do not want to be placed on a respirator, but that you want a feeding tube for nutrition. You may even specify that someone else should make decisions for you.

2. psychiatric advance directive:Any person may make a psychiatric advance directive if he/she has legal capacity. This written document expresses your preferences and consent to treatment measures for a specific diagnosis. The directive sets guidelines for the care and treatment of a mental illness during periods of incapacity.

3. health care representative:A health care representative is a person you choose to receive health care information and make health care decisions for you when you cannot. Your health care representative may agree to or refuse medical care and treatments when you are unable to do so. Your representative will make these choices based on your advance directive. If you want, in certain cases and in consultation with your physician, your health care representative may decide if food, water, or respiration should be given

artificially as part of your medical treatment. Naming a health care representative must be done in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by another adult.

4. poWer of attorney:A power of attorney (also referred to as a durable power of attorney) is another kind of advance directive. This document is used to grant another person control over your affairs. Your power of attorney document may cover financial matters, give health care authority, or both. By giving this power to another person, you give this person your power of attorney. Your power of attorney document must be in writing and signed in the presence of a notary public.

5. out of hospital “do not resuscitate” declaration and order:

If you have a terminal condition and you do not want CPR while you are in a hospital or health facility setting, your physician will write a “do not resuscitate” order in your medical chart. If you are home when an emergency occurs, there is no medical chart or physician’s order. For situations outside of a hospital or health facility, the Out of Hospital “Do Not Resuscitate” Declaration and Order is used to state your wishes.

6. organ and tissue donation: Increasing the quality of life for another person is the ultimate gift. Donating your organs is a way to help others. Making your wishes clear concerning organ donation to your physician and family is an important first step.

7. talking to your physician and family: One of the most important things to do is to talk about your health care wishes with your physician. Your physician can follow your wishes only if he or she knows what they are. Discussing your wishes with your physician allows him or her to record your choices in your medical chart for future reference. If you have written an advance directive, it is important you give a copy to your physician.

def IN IT IoNsdnr:Do not resuscitate is a physician order that states that you do NOT want CPR.

health care directive:A legal document that reflects the patients wishes for treatment at the end of life.

life-prolonging procedure declaration:This document is the opposite of a living will. You can use this document if you want all life-prolonging medical treatments used to extend your life.

puTT INg wIsHes INTo wr IT INg

advance directiveDecisions made in advance that relate to the provision of medical care and/or financial affairs in the event a person is unable to make decisions. A patient must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind when executing any advance directive.

healthcare treatment directive:A document which allows individuals to state their wishes regarding healthcare decisions. It is more comprehensive than most living wills as it is not necessarily restricted to use only when one is terminally ill.

terminal condition:A condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty:

• There can be no recovery.• Death will occur from the terminal condition

within a short period of time without the provision of life prolonging procedures.

cpr cardio-pulmonary massage:An emergency procedure often used after cardiac arrest in which cardiac massage, artificial respiration, and drugs are used to maintain the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain. This procedure normally consists of applying force to the chest to compress the heart once per second while at the same time applying mouth to mouth resuscitation to inflate the lungs.

wHaT are mY CHoICes?

• Advance directives are documents to protect your rights to determine your own medical treatment. They help your family and doctor understand your wishes about your health care.

• Your advance directive will not take away your right to continue to decide for yourself what you want. This is true even under the most serious medical conditions. Your advance directive will speak for you only when you are unable to speak for yourself, or when your doctor determines that you are no longer able to understand enough to make your own treatment decisions.

indiana recognizes seven types of advance directives: 1. living Will:

A living will is a document that puts into words your wishes in the event that you become terminally ill and unable to communicate. It is an advance directive that lists the specific care or treatment you want or do not want during a terminal illness. It will often include directions for CPR, artificial nutrition, maintenance on a respirator, and blood transfusions. A living will is used to tell your physician and family that life-prolonging treatments should not be used so that you are allowed to die naturally. Your living will does not have to prohibit all life-prolonging treatments, but it should list your specific choices. For example, it may state that you do not want to be placed on a respirator, but that you want a feeding tube for nutrition. You may even specify that someone else should make decisions for you.

2. psychiatric advance directive:Any person may make a psychiatric advance directive if he/she has legal capacity. This written document expresses your preferences and consent to treatment measures for a specific diagnosis. The directive sets guidelines for the care and treatment of a mental illness during periods of incapacity.

3. health care representative:A health care representative is a person you choose to receive health care information and make health care decisions for you when you cannot. Your health care representative may agree to or refuse medical care and treatments when you are unable to do so. Your representative will make these choices based on your advance directive. If you want, in certain cases and in consultation with your physician, your health care representative may decide if food, water, or respiration should be given

artificially as part of your medical treatment. Naming a health care representative must be done in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by another adult.

4. poWer of attorney:A power of attorney (also referred to as a durable power of attorney) is another kind of advance directive. This document is used to grant another person control over your affairs. Your power of attorney document may cover financial matters, give health care authority, or both. By giving this power to another person, you give this person your power of attorney. Your power of attorney document must be in writing and signed in the presence of a notary public.

5. out of hospital “do not resuscitate” declaration and order:

If you have a terminal condition and you do not want CPR while you are in a hospital or health facility setting, your physician will write a “do not resuscitate” order in your medical chart. If you are home when an emergency occurs, there is no medical chart or physician’s order. For situations outside of a hospital or health facility, the Out of Hospital “Do Not Resuscitate” Declaration and Order is used to state your wishes.

6. organ and tissue donation: Increasing the quality of life for another person is the ultimate gift. Donating your organs is a way to help others. Making your wishes clear concerning organ donation to your physician and family is an important first step.

7. talking to your physician and family: One of the most important things to do is to talk about your health care wishes with your physician. Your physician can follow your wishes only if he or she knows what they are. Discussing your wishes with your physician allows him or her to record your choices in your medical chart for future reference. If you have written an advance directive, it is important you give a copy to your physician.

def IN IT IoNsdnr:Do not resuscitate is a physician order that states that you do NOT want CPR.

health care directive:A legal document that reflects the patients wishes for treatment at the end of life.

life-prolonging procedure declaration:This document is the opposite of a living will. You can use this document if you want all life-prolonging medical treatments used to extend your life.

puTT INg wIsHes INTo wr IT INg

advance directiveDecisions made in advance that relate to the provision of medical care and/or financial affairs in the event a person is unable to make decisions. A patient must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind when executing any advance directive.

healthcare treatment directive:A document which allows individuals to state their wishes regarding healthcare decisions. It is more comprehensive than most living wills as it is not necessarily restricted to use only when one is terminally ill.

terminal condition:A condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty:

• There can be no recovery.• Death will occur from the terminal condition

within a short period of time without the provision of life prolonging procedures.

cpr cardio-pulmonary massage:An emergency procedure often used after cardiac arrest in which cardiac massage, artificial respiration, and drugs are used to maintain the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain. This procedure normally consists of applying force to the chest to compress the heart once per second while at the same time applying mouth to mouth resuscitation to inflate the lungs.

wHaT are mY CHoICes?

• Advance directives are documents to protect your rights to determine your own medical treatment. They help your family and doctor understand your wishes about your health care.

• Your advance directive will not take away your right to continue to decide for yourself what you want. This is true even under the most serious medical conditions. Your advance directive will speak for you only when you are unable to speak for yourself, or when your doctor determines that you are no longer able to understand enough to make your own treatment decisions.

indiana recognizes seven types of advance directives: 1. living Will:

A living will is a document that puts into words your wishes in the event that you become terminally ill and unable to communicate. It is an advance directive that lists the specific care or treatment you want or do not want during a terminal illness. It will often include directions for CPR, artificial nutrition, maintenance on a respirator, and blood transfusions. A living will is used to tell your physician and family that life-prolonging treatments should not be used so that you are allowed to die naturally. Your living will does not have to prohibit all life-prolonging treatments, but it should list your specific choices. For example, it may state that you do not want to be placed on a respirator, but that you want a feeding tube for nutrition. You may even specify that someone else should make decisions for you.

2. psychiatric advance directive:Any person may make a psychiatric advance directive if he/she has legal capacity. This written document expresses your preferences and consent to treatment measures for a specific diagnosis. The directive sets guidelines for the care and treatment of a mental illness during periods of incapacity.

3. health care representative:A health care representative is a person you choose to receive health care information and make health care decisions for you when you cannot. Your health care representative may agree to or refuse medical care and treatments when you are unable to do so. Your representative will make these choices based on your advance directive. If you want, in certain cases and in consultation with your physician, your health care representative may decide if food, water, or respiration should be given

artificially as part of your medical treatment. Naming a health care representative must be done in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by another adult.

4. poWer of attorney:A power of attorney (also referred to as a durable power of attorney) is another kind of advance directive. This document is used to grant another person control over your affairs. Your power of attorney document may cover financial matters, give health care authority, or both. By giving this power to another person, you give this person your power of attorney. Your power of attorney document must be in writing and signed in the presence of a notary public.

5. out of hospital “do not resuscitate” declaration and order:

If you have a terminal condition and you do not want CPR while you are in a hospital or health facility setting, your physician will write a “do not resuscitate” order in your medical chart. If you are home when an emergency occurs, there is no medical chart or physician’s order. For situations outside of a hospital or health facility, the Out of Hospital “Do Not Resuscitate” Declaration and Order is used to state your wishes.

6. organ and tissue donation: Increasing the quality of life for another person is the ultimate gift. Donating your organs is a way to help others. Making your wishes clear concerning organ donation to your physician and family is an important first step.

7. talking to your physician and family: One of the most important things to do is to talk about your health care wishes with your physician. Your physician can follow your wishes only if he or she knows what they are. Discussing your wishes with your physician allows him or her to record your choices in your medical chart for future reference. If you have written an advance directive, it is important you give a copy to your physician.

ADVANCEDIRECTIVES

You Need To KNow . . .

• You can decide right now what medical treatments you want or don’t want.

• You can tell your doctor or loved ones these decisions now so that if you become too sick to tell them, they ’ll know what you want them to do.

• You can choose someone you trust to make these decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself.

• You can write these decisions down in a document called an advance directive.

Co N Ta C T IN f o r m aT I o N :Oncology (317) 421-1812

ICU (317) 398-5283

Med/Surg (317) 398-5290

Social Services (317) 398-5240

Discharge Planning (317) 398-5268

ma j o r Ho s p I Ta l

150 W. Wash ington S t reetShe lbyv i l le, IN 46176

www.ma jo rhosp i ta l .o rg

frequeNTlY asKed

quesT IoNs

What happens if i become unable to make my oWn medical decisions?Unless you make arrangements, your health care decisions will be made by someone else if you become unable to consent or refuse your own medical treatments. In Indiana, these decisions may be made by whomever your doctor talks to in your immediate family (meaning your spouse, parent, adult child, brother or sister) or by a person appointed by a court.

Also in Indiana, however, you can write down your own decisions about your future medical treatment if you wish. Or you can appoint a person to make these decisions for you when you are not able to do so. You can even disqualify someone you don’t want to make any health decisions for you. You can do these things by having what is called an advance directive.

What can i do noW to express my Wishes in case i become unable to tell my doctor or family?You have three ways you can make your wishes known:

• You can speak directly to your doctor and your family.

• You can appoint someone to speak or decide for you.

• You can write specific medical instructions.

can i change my mind after i Write an advance directive?Yes: You can change your mind about your appointments or about your living will at any time. However, you need to make various people aware that you’ve changed your mind – like your doctor, your family, or the person you’ve appointed, and you might have to revoke your decision in writing. Be sure to state your wishes clearly and be sure they are understood.

What if i make an advance directive in indiana and i am hospitalized in a different state or vice versa?The law on honoring an advance directive in or from another state is unclear. It may be honored wherever you are if it is made known. You may wish to consider having your advance directive meet the laws of all of the states where you spend time.

What should i do With my advance directive if i choose to have one?Make sure that someone, such as your lawyer or a family member, knows that you have an advance directive and knows where it is located. You should give a copy of your power of attorney document to the person you have appointed. You may also decide to ask your doctor or other health care provider to make your advance directive a part of your permanent medical record. Another idea would be to keep a second copy of the directive in a safe place where it can be found easily. You might keep a small card in your purse or wallet that states that you have an advance directive and where it is located or who your attorney is.

Will i be refused care if i have an advanced directive?No: No treatment will be withheld or stopped until your doctor determines that it would no longer benefit you as you’d wish.