Each PMDD packet contains: detailed questions and answers about the PMDD, a checklist to use when signing your PMDD; three PMDD forms so that you can provide documents with your original signature to your agent and to any alternate agents ; and a wallet card on which you can write the names and phone numbers of your agent and alternate agents so they can be reached in case of an accident or emergency.
If you have another type of advance directive, review the PMDD and decide whether you may wish to replace your existing document. And, if you already have a PMDD, now is the time to see to it that each and every member of your family and all of your friends have one as well. There is no charge for the PMDD. If you would like to obtain a PMDD, call or between am and pm eastern time. Skip to content. If you are young and healthy, do you need an advance directive?
If you are in poor health, do you need an advance directive? The PMDD also has specific directions that are necessary in the current medical climate.
A PMDD protects you. Having a PMDD can mean the difference between life and death. Entire Site News. Examples of terminal conditions may include but are not limited to advanced cancers , multiple organ failure, or some massive heart attacks and strokes.
Definitions of terminal illness can be different from state to state. In most cases, life-sustaining medical treatment is any medical intervention, medication, or anything mechanical or artificial that sustains, restores that would prolong the dying process for a terminally ill patient. These may include but are not limited to:. Comfort measures, which are medicines or procedures used to provide comfort or ease pain, are not usually considered life-sustaining.
In some states, tube feedings and IV fluids are considered comfort measures. States have different definitions, so be sure you know what your state says. The best time to make an advance directive is before you need one. In other words, before you become too sick to make your own decisions about what medical care you want to get or refuse.
If you have any type of advance directive, let your health care team know and make sure they have it in their records. Give copies of your advance directive to your proxy or agent, family members, and friends who would be contacted if you become seriously ill.
Even though advance directives are legally recognized documents, there are times that a health care provider may reject a medical decision made by you or your health care proxy based on your advance directive.
For example:. Conversations are Key It is much better for everyone, patients, providers, and families, if advance directives are in place. Call us at to schedule an appointment. You can also check out our portal for complimentary blog articles, videos and webinars.
We serve individuals and families across Pennsylvania from three convenient office locations. Phone conferences and home visits are also available. Share this Article:. Share on facebook. Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. Share on email. Share on print. Related Articles. Estate Planning for Silver Marriages. October 31, Matthew Parker.
July 30, Tammy Weber, Esquire. Life Milestones for Estate Planning. October 22, Tammy Weber, Esquire. If you would like more information on how to create an advance directive please visit: What is an Advance Directive? There are two basic types: the living will and the durable power of attorney for healthcare.
In a living will a person specifies whether to receive or not receive interventions and treatments if they are needed at a future time but the person is incapacitated and unable to explicitly consent or refuse at that time. The patient is advised to thoroughly discuss intervention and treatment preferences with the surrogate decision-maker before their services are needed.
Typically upon admission hospitals will ask the patient if there is a living will. If there is not, the hospital may offer the patient a living will form to complete. If the patient has a living will, creating several copies and leaving them with family members will help ensure it can be found when needed. However, if different versions of the living will exist, this can create confusion. If the patient is incapacitated and has a living will providers will often use the instructions to guide treatment and care.
But healthcare providers do not always faithfully follow the instructions in a living will, particularly if there is a conflict with family wishes. States vary in how binding they consider living wills. Generally, if the patient is incapacitated and there is no living will, and no durable power of attorney establishing a designated single decision maker, the provider will follow the wishes of family members in order of degree of relatedness.
This is typically spouse first, then, in order, adult children, parents, and adult siblings, but states may vary in defining the order of relations to be followed. It is commonly recommended that an attempt be made to resolve any family conflict about treatment for the patient through discussion and mediation as needed. If the patient is under a guardian appointed by a court, the decisions of the guardian will be followed.
Otherwise, if the patient has a durable power of attorney that appoints a specific person as the proxy to make decisions, then the hospital staff will usually follow his or her wishes. A notarized durable power of attorney is considered legally binding. The person designated as the proxy or surrogate decision maker should have a copy of the document to prove their status. Basic living will forms are available from hospitals, medical offices, attorneys, health advocacy organizations, and healthcare sites on the Internet.
Living wills vary from the simple to the complex and from mostly narrative text to extensive use of lists. Living wills typically specify particular treatments that should or should not be administered under specific circumstances, so the two main considerations in creating a living will are to anticipate the specific situations that may arise and to designate the particular treatments that should or should not occur in those situations.
Key situations to consider are when the patient is not expected to recover at all and when the patient is not expected to recover a desired quality of life.
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