Deciding who should receive your possessions after you die is important, so considering your end of life options in Pennsylvania is a good idea. It may be even more critical to think about the health care decisions that may need to be made for you if there comes a time when you are unable to communicate your wishes. We at Schimizzi Law, LLC, often provide counsel on the various documents you may want to draw up in preparation for various health care scenarios.
The Mayo Clinic explains that you and your doctor are the ones who make note of your wishes when it comes to whether you want to be resuscitated or intubated. Although these documents are not included in a living will, you should mention the fact that they are with your medical records. Other components of a living will include the following:
- Whether you want to donate your organs or your body
- What care or treatments you want to have administered for your end-of-life comfort
- How long, if at all, you want to be on mechanical ventilation
- Which medical issues should be treated if you are on your deathbed
You may want to speak to your primary care provider and other health experts to ensure that you address these and any other issues that may arise.
While the living will spells out your own choices, a power of attorney appoints someone else to make the decisions for you. Taking this step may be of particular importance if circumstances do not meet the specifications listed in your living will. You should be able to trust the person you choose to listen carefully to your wishes, and carry them out, if necessary. More information about end-of-life decisions is available on our web page.