Advance directives/living will....observations - The Firearms Forum

Jay · 04-03-2007, 03:27 PM

IF..... IF you have an advance directive, or living will, I feel the need to make this observation..... an advance directive or living will by themselves is not enough........

My current line of work involves living wills, and advance directives....... and the patients to whom they apply. Time after time I have seen these documents overturned by family members at the last minute. We have patients that have been "brought back many times, and are left to simply exist, rather than regain any mental function.

Nobody looks forward to seeing a loved one die. However, too many times, grief will cause a power of attorney to overturn or recind an advance directive. Have you ever seen the look on a person's face that begs you let him die, after having been revived? Not nice.

Simple solution........ after you fill out your advance directives, generate one more document........

A written contract for anyone mentioned in your advance directives, and anyone who would ever have anything to say about treatment, if you could not function, PREVENTING any attempt to overturn, or alter your original advance directive.

I have such a contract signed by those close to me, and they did NOT want to sign it. I finally was able to convince them that my intent is to remove any guilt, or decision-making from them, and leave it where it belongs...... on my shoulders.

When it's my time....... see y'all.........

Not meant to be an editorial..... just an option.

Semper Fi

catfish83861 · 04-03-2007, 09:59 PM

Not meant to be an editorial..... just an option.

Jay, You echoed my thoughts to a "T". Thanks for the information and tomorrow I will be making that change. Like many others I am sure , I have lived a lot longer than I would have wagered in the earlier part of my life, now that I am over 21 (several times) I dang sure don't want to die a vegetable.To me that just drains my loved ones pocket books and feeds some doctor or lawyer. Thanks again. catfish

pickenup · 04-04-2007, 11:11 AM

Good info. Thanks
Sad that we need it.

Pat Hurley · 04-04-2007, 06:19 PM

Death. Wills. Vegetative states. Pelosi in Damascus. Now I'm really depressed.

Bruce FLinch · 04-04-2007, 08:51 PM

Cheer up Pat. Maybe Nancy will get lost on the way home...

Good advice, though.

04-03-2007, 03:27 PM	#1
Jay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,286	Advance directives/living will....observations IF..... IF you have an advance directive, or living will, I feel the need to make this observation..... an advance directive or living will by themselves is not enough........ My current line of work involves living wills, and advance directives....... and the patients to whom they apply. Time after time I have seen these documents overturned by family members at the last minute. We have patients that have been "brought back many times, and are left to simply exist, rather than regain any mental function. Nobody looks forward to seeing a loved one die. However, too many times, grief will cause a power of attorney to overturn or recind an advance directive. Have you ever seen the look on a person's face that begs you let him die, after having been revived? Not nice. Simple solution........ after you fill out your advance directives, generate one more document........ A written contract for anyone mentioned in your advance directives, and anyone who would ever have anything to say about treatment, if you could not function, PREVENTING any attempt to overturn, or alter your original advance directive. I have such a contract signed by those close to me, and they did NOT want to sign it. I finally was able to convince them that my intent is to remove any guilt, or decision-making from them, and leave it where it belongs...... on my shoulders. When it's my time....... see y'all......... Not meant to be an editorial..... just an option. Semper Fi __________________ "For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected cannot taste." "USMC 8652, 2531, RVN Jun '67, - May 69" -->

04-03-2007, 09:59 PM	#2
catfish83861 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Idaho Posts: 2,019	Re: Advance directives/living will....observations Not meant to be an editorial..... just an option. Jay, You echoed my thoughts to a "T". Thanks for the information and tomorrow I will be making that change. Like many others I am sure , I have lived a lot longer than I would have wagered in the earlier part of my life, now that I am over 21 (several times) I dang sure don't want to die a vegetable.To me that just drains my loved ones pocket books and feeds some doctor or lawyer. Thanks again. catfish

04-04-2007, 11:11 AM	#3
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,838	Re: Advance directives/living will....observations Good info. Thanks Sad that we need it. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

04-04-2007, 06:19 PM	#4
Pat Hurley Former Guest Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 987	Re: Advance directives/living will....observations Death. Wills. Vegetative states. Pelosi in Damascus. Now I'm really depressed.

04-04-2007, 08:51 PM	#5
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: Advance directives/living will....observations Cheer up Pat. Maybe Nancy will get lost on the way home... Good advice, though. __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.