Have Advance Directives Failed?
In this paper, I will discuss advance directives, what it is, and the reason for it. I will talk about the issues that are currently facing advance directives care and talk about whether it has failed, or not. Finally, I will prove my stand on the issues with evidence. What is Advance Directives? An Advance directive is a living will, which allows one to document their wishes concerning medical treatments at the end of life. Even though it’s optional, but all health care facilities are required by law to ask patients if they have one, and offer them the appropriate information, and documents to sign if they want it. There are two basic kinds of advance directives, living wills, and durable powers of attorney for health care. Advance directives are legally valid throughout the United States, but the laws governing advance directives vary from state, to state. Anyone can have advance directives, no lawyer is required, and it becomes valid as soon as you sign it in front of the required witnesses. Anyone can be a witness. Reasons for advance directives
Advance directive is designed to empower patients, and to allow them to have a voice in their care. It provides a way for patients to communicate their wishes to family, friends and health care professionals, when they are no longer able to do so. With advance care directives, you can express how much, or how little care you want done for you when you are no longer able to make these decisions for yourself. You can also appoint someone to make decisions about your medical treatments when you are unable to make these decisions yourself; this is called power of attorney. Another reason for Advance directives is to protect your right to die with dignity. It allows your voice to be heard when you can no longer speak. It relieves your family the burden of figuring out what you want, and deciding for you.
The Issues
Advance directive is designed to empower patients, and to allow them to have a voice in their care. It provides a way for patients to communicate their wishes to family, friends and health care professionals, when they are no longer able to do so. With advance care directives, you can express how much, or how little care you want done for you when you are no longer able to make these decisions for yourself. You can also appoint someone to make decisions about your medical treatments when you are unable to make these decisions yourself; this is called power of attorney. Another reason for Advance directives is to protect your right to die with dignity. It allows your voice to be heard when you can no longer speak. It relieves your family the burden of figuring out what you want, and deciding for you.
The Issues
References: John La Puma, M., David Orentlicher, M. J., & Robert J. Moss, M. (1991). Advance Directives on Admission Clinical Implications and Analysis of the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990. JAMA , 402-405. Lee, B. C. (2010). Hospitals Ordered To Follow End-Of-Life Care Wishes. Washington: NPR News. Levine, C. (2010). Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Bioethical Issues. (13th ed.) New York: McGrawHill. Meyer, H. (2010, Feb 27). Catholic Directive May Thwart End-Of-Life Wishes . Kaiser Health News , p. 1.