Estate-Preplanning-Sympahty 2/16 EstateWrap_Feb18

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Friday , Feb . 23 , 2018 ESTATE , PRE-PLANNING , AND SYMPATHY — G U I D E —

Estate , Pre-Planning , & Sympathy – pg . 1-2 , 9-10
Classifieds – pg . 3-6 Going Out – pg . 8

A health care directive can provide peace of mind

Wills and other tools can help ensure that people ’ s wishes are carried out regarding property or finances , but they do not address wishes regarding health care .
A health care directive is a document that can do so . Health care directives can provide peace of mind for the people who have them , and for family members if someone is unable to express his or her wishes due to illness or injury .
Minnesota law allows you to inform others of your health care wishes . You have the right to state your wishes or appoint an agent in writing so that others will know what you want if you can ’ t tell them because of illness or injury . The information that follows tells about health care directives and how to prepare them . It does not give every detail of the law .
The Minnesota Department of Health provided the following questions and answers about health care directives .
What is a health care directive ?
A health care directive is a written document that informs other of your wishes about your health care . It allows you to name a person (“ agent ”) to decide for you if you are unable to decide . It also allows you to name an agent if you want someone else to decide for you . You must be at least 18 years old to make a health care directive .
Why have a health care directive ?
A health care directive is important if your attending physician determines you can ’ t communicate your health care choices ( because of physical or mental incapacity ). It is also important if you wish to have someone else make your health care decisions . In some circumstances , your directive may state
that you want someone other than an attending physician to decide when you cannot make your own decisions .
Must I have a health care directive ? What happens if I don ’ t have one ?
You don ’ t have to have a health care directive . But , writing one helps to make sure your wishes are followed .
You will still receive medical treatment if you don ’ t have a written directive . Health care providers will listen to what people close to you say about your treatment preferences , but the best way to be sure your wishes are followed is to have a health care directive .
How do I make a health care directive ?
There are forms for health care directives . You don ’ t have to use a form , but your health care directive must meet the following requirements to be legal :
• Be in writing and dated .
• State your name .
• Be signed by you or someone you authorize to sign for you , when you can understand and communicate your health care wishes .
• Have your signature verified by a notary public or two witnesses .
• Include the appointment of an agent to make health care decisions for you and / or instructions about the health care choices you wish to make .
You should inform others of your health care directive and give people copies of it .
Before you prepare or revise your directive , you should discuss your health care wishes with your doctor or other health care provider .
I prepared my directive in another state . Is it still good ?
Health care directives prepared in other states are legal if they meet the requirements of the other state ’ s laws or the Minnesota requirements . But requests for assisted suicide will not be followed .
What can I put in a health care directive ?
You have many choices of what to put in your health care directive . For example , you may include :
• The person you trust as your agent to make health care decisions for you . You can name alternative agents in case the first agent is unavailable , or joint agents .
• Your goals , values and preferences about health care .
The types of medical treatment you would want ( or not want ).
• How you want your agent or agents to decide .
• Where you want to receive care .
• Instructions about artificial nutrition and hydration .
• Mental health treatments that use electroshock therapy or neuroleptic medications .
• Instructions if you are pregnant .
• Donation of organs , tissues and eyes .
• Funeral arrangements .
• Who you would like as your guardian or conservator if there is a court action .
You may be as specific or as general as you wish . You can choose which issues or treatments to deal with in your health care directive .
Are there any limits to what I can put in my health care directive ?
There are some limits about what you can put in your health care directive . For instance :
• Your agent must be at least 18 years of age .
• Your agent cannot be your health care provider , unless the health care provider is a family member or you give reasons for the naming of the agent in your directive .
• You cannot request health care treatment that is outside of reasonable medical practice .
• You cannot request assisted suicide .
How long does a health care directive last ? Can I change it ?
Your health care directive lasts until you change or cancel it . As long as the changes meet the health care directive requirements listed above , you may cancel your directive by any of the following :
• A written statement saying you want to cancel it .
• Destroying it .
• Telling at least two other people you want to cancel it .
• Writing a new health care directive .
What if my health care provider refuses to follow my health care directive ?
Your health care provider generally will follow your health care directive , or any instructions from your agent , as long as the health care follows reasonable medical practice . But , you or your agent cannot request treatment that will not help you or which the provider cannot provide . If the provider cannot follow your agent ’ s directions about life-sustaining treatment , the provider must inform the agent . The provider must also document the notice in your medical record . The provider must allow the agency to arrange to transfer you to another provider who will follow the agent ’ s directions .
What if I ’ ve already prepared a health care document ? Is it still good ?
Before Aug . 1 , 1998 , Minnesota law provided for several other types of directives , including living wills , durable health care powers of attorney and mental health declarations .
The law changed so people can use one form for all their health care instructions .
Forms created before Aug . 1 , 1998 , are still legal if they followed the law in effect when written . They are also legal if they meet the requirements of the new law ( described above ). You may want to review any existing documents to make sure they say what you want and meet all requirements .
What should I do with my health care directive after I have signed it ?
You should inform others of your health care directive and give people copies of it .
You may wish to inform family members , your health care agent or agents , and your health care providers that you have a health care directive . You should give them a copy .
It ’ s a good idea to review and update your directive as your needs change . Keep it in a safe place where it is easily found .
What if I believe a health care provider has not followed health care directive requirements ?
Complaints of this type can be filed with the Office of Health Facility Complaints at ( 651 ) 201-4200 ( metro area ) or toll-free at 1-800-369-7994 .
What if I believe a health plan has not followed health care directive requirements ?
Complaints of this type can be filed with the Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse at ( 651 ) 201-5178 or tollfree at 1-800-657-3793 .
How to obtain additional information
If you want more information about health care directives , please contact your health care provider , your attorney , or Minnesota Board on Aging Senior LinkAge Line ®, 1-800-333- 2433
A suggested health care directive form is available at : Minnesota Board on Aging - Health Care Directive .
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