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California Advance Health Care Directive

In the state of California health professionals provide patients with an Advance Health Care Directive form. Doctors can give patients information and advice, however, the patient has the right to accept or refuse treatment. I think the Advance Health Care Directive is a proactive initiative that everybody should have.

The Advance Health Care Directive is a written statement that gives authority to another person in place of the patient, when they are unable to make medical decisions. If the patient is 18 years old or older and of sound mind they can complete the Advance Health Care Directive form. If you are too sick to make a decision, doctors will ask your closest relative or friend to make decisions for you. However, the Advance Health Care Directive prevents doctors from having to find the closest relative or friend to make decisions for you because your "agent" would already be stated in the form. The form is great because it states the kind of treatment you want and do not want. The Advance Health Care Directive can be revoked or changed at any time.

I do not know if other states have something similar to the Advance Health Care Directive, if they don't you should contact your doctor and let them know who you want to make health decisions on your behalf in case you are unable to.

I live in Atlanta, Georgia and do not know the laws surrounding this issue. However, I plan to talk to my doctor to let them know who I want to make medical decisions on my behalf.

Have you spoke to your doctor about who you want to make treatment decisions for you when you are unable?
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Comments

HektikLyfe said…
These are such tough decisions. I think people are afraid to accept their own mortality. Humanity has always been plagued by this fear and has since created alternatives, such as religion, to facilitate our ability to ignore it altogether.

People don't like doing this, nor planning for their own burial for that exact reason.

Death planning is becoming more common, however, as the religious population dwindles. Funny how they go hand in hand.

With the recent financial problems plaguing the United States as well as other parts of the world, I wonder if people will flock right back into the hands of the "righteous."
September 29, 2008 at 7:22 PM
susan said…
I found your blog from Dano, and love it. I just added it to my humble blog roll.

take care and I look forward to reading more of you
September 30, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Ashley Smith said…
Susan, thank you so much for checking out my blog.

Ashley
September 30, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Cesia said…
I have an Advance Medical Directive that I always carry in my wallet. Its not state-specific, but it lists my health conditions and medical allergies as well as states my wishes on specific treatment options (such as, pull the plug - or keep me alive?), and gives an agent and a backup agent. I think they are great for anyone with strong medical wishes.

- Cesia.
http://ceceatitagain.blogspot.com
October 2, 2008 at 1:07 PM
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