Planning for End-of-Life Care and Memorial Decisions

It is a fact that each of us, as well as our families and friends, will probably face many decisions about the dying process. By deciding what end-of-life care best suits your needs when you are healthy, you can help those close to you make the right choices when the time comes. This not only respects your values, but also allows those closest to you the comfort of feeling as though they can be helpful.

There are several ways to make sure others know the kind of care you want when dying. Below are several links to agencies where you can access forms or other helpful information. Also included is PDF File of a "Memorial Wishes" form put together by a group of interested members of the Mid Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. By completing this form you will insure that your memorial wishes are made clear to your loved ones.

Written instructions letting others know the type of care you want if you are seriously ill or dying are called advance directives. Don’t confuse a durable power of attorney for health care with a durable power of attorney. The first is limited to decisions related to health care, while the latter covers decisions regarding property or financial matters. A lawyer can prepare all necessary papers, or you can do them yourself. Forms are available from your local or State government, from private groups, or on the Internet. We have provided links below for your convenience. Often these forms need to be witnessed. That means that people who are not related to you watch as you sign and date the paperwork and then sign and date it themselves as proof that the signature is indeed yours. Make sure you give copies to your primary doctor and your health care proxy. Have copies in your files as well. Hospitals might ask for a copy when you are admitted, even if you are not seriously ill.

Do you live in one state, but spend a lot of time in another? Maybe you live in the north and spend winter months in a southern state. Or possibly your children and grandchildren live in a different state and you visit them often. Because states’ rules and regulations may differ, make sure your forms are legal in both your home state and the state you travel to often. If not, make an advanced directive with copies for that state also. And make sure your family there has a copy.

To Learn More About Advance Directives and Living Wills:

American Bar Association www.abanet.org 800-285-2221 (toll-free)

Caring Connections (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization) www.caringinfo.org 800-658-8898 (toll-free)

Medlineplus.gov www.medlineplus.gov, go to: Advance Directives

National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov 800-422-6237 (toll-free)

Washington State Medical Association http://www.wsma.org/searchResults.cfm?cms_searchFor=durable+power+of+attorney

Oregon Medical Association http://www.theoma.org/Page.asp?NavID=288