Advanced Health Directive - give family and doctors clear guidance about the end of your life

[JimJimJimJim]

Jim Marshall (not a doctor) said ...

In two of the phone calls I have taken this week the topic of control at end of life came up, though neither were about prostate cancer.

 

The best way to have control of what happens to you at this stage is to be involved in palliative care as early as possible.

 

But that is not always possible. Emergencies arise at this stage, and many men arrive in emergency departments where decisions are made for them. These decisions may not be in line with their wishes for the end of their life. 

 

One thing you can do now to guide your family and your doctors is to complete an Advanced Health Directive.

 

Some sample parts of the Queensland Advanced Health Directive are included below.

... end Jim

 

Download and print your own:

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/15982/advance-health-directive.pdf

OR

http://tinyurl.com/b7tbzj8

 

Queensland and the ACT use the same form, but this decision in an Australian court suggests that any  clear form would work (I am not a lawyer, either. BE warned!).

Read that decision on a case brought by a Jehovah's Witness here:

http://www.mondaq.com/australia/x/97538/Healthcare/Advance+Care+Directives+Hunter+and+New+England+Health+Service+v+A+2009+NSWSC+761

OR

http://tinyurl.com/jvs9rfp

 

Sample clauses (tick boxes in the real form)

 

I request that: 

everyone responsible for my care initiate only those measures that are considered necessary to maintain my comfort and dignity, with particular emphasis on the relief of pain. 

any treatment that might obstruct my natural dying either not be initiated or be stopped. 

unless required for my dignity and comfort as part of my palliative care, no surgical operation is to be performed on me. 

 

If I am in the terminal phase of an incurable illness:

I do not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation. I do want cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
I do not want assisted ventilation. I do want assisted ventilation.
I do not want artificial hydration. I do want artificial hydration.
I do not want artificial nutrition. I do want artificial nutrition.
I do not want antibiotics. I do want antibiotics.

If I am permanently unconscious (in a coma):

I do not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
I do want cardiopulmonary resuscitation. I do not want assisted ventilation.
I do want assisted ventilation.
I do not want artificial hydration.
I do want artificial hydration.
I do not want artificial nutrition.
I do want artificial nutrition. I do not want antibiotics.
I do want antibiotics.

If I am in a persistent vegetative state: 

I do not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation. I do want cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

I do not want assisted ventilation. I do want assisted ventilation. 

I do not want artificial hydration. I do want artificial hydration. 

I do not want artificial nutrition. I do want artificial nutrition. 

I do not want antibiotics. I do want antibiotics. 

 

Do you consent to the removal of tissue after death? 

No/Yes.

I agree that, if necessary for tissue donation, life support systems such as assisted ventilation may be continued. In all other circumstances, my wishes as listed in clauses 7-11 are to be respected.

 

[Paul Edwards]

The requirements for Advanced Care Planning differ in the various Australian States and Territories.

 

The Advanced Care Planning Australia website has useful information about the specific documents required in your particular State or Territory:  http://advancecareplanning.org.au/contacts-and-links