Advance DIRECTIVES

Advance Directives are documents that allow you to state your choices regarding medical treatment, or to name someone to make decisions about medical treatment on your behalf, should you become unable to do so.

Decisions about medical treatment at the end of life often occur in the hospital.  The skillful application of medical technology can contribute to remarkable cures.  At times, however, significant improvement is not possible and all efforts seem only to prolong the inevitability of death, not living.  At times such as these, difficult decisions must be considered by you, the patient, by your family, and by your physician.

Although no one expects to have to cope with a terminal or irreversible diagnosis, everyone may one day have to face making difficult treatment decisions as a patient, or as a loved one.  It is hard to make sound decisions in the midst of an unexpected crisis.  It is better to discuss your thoughts and health care wishes with your family or surrogate decision maker, health care providers, and clergy before you become ill.  This is also the best time to make your wishes known through an Advance Directive.

• Click here to download printable version of Directive to Physicians and Family or  Surrogates (Living Will)
• Click here to download printable version of Medical Power of Attorney
• Click here to download printable version of Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order

These are some helpful websites for further information regarding Advance Planning:

http://www.txpec.org/whatsnew/texas.asp

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/alzheimers/legal.shtm

http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3278