Do I have the right to make choices about my health care? YES
A federal law called "The Patient Self-Determination Act of
1990" states that all competent adults have the right and responsibility
to choose and understand medical treatment, to receive information about
medical problems, and to refuse medical or surgical treatment. You may
state your wishes in writing in a health care directive form.
Should I be concerned about making a written health care directive?YES
When you cannot decide or speak for yourself due to an accident
or illness, your family and doctor would have your written wishes to direct
medical care that can affect your life. You may name a person, called an
"agent", to speak for you.
Is it important to state my values in a health care directive? YES
Stating your values will help those who are making decisions about
your medical care to closely follow your wishes. Think about how you would
prefer to live out your remaining days.
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Do you feel comfortable receiving help to bathe, dress, eat and get around?
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What if you had trouble talking with others?
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What if you were permanently dependent on life support machines?
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Do you want to stay alive even if you would never regain consciousness?
May I appoint a guardian or conservator to speak for me? YES
A court will name a guardian or conservator only if someone
starts a court action to do so. Consult your person attorney for more information.
Does my health care directive need to be witnessed or notarized? YES
Any competent person, age 18 or older, may be a witness. Follow
the directions at the end of the health care directive form regarding restrictions.
You do not need witnesses if you have the directive notarized.
Will my advance directive be honored outside the State of Minnesota?
YES
If your document complies with the law of another state, it
will be honored in that state. It is wise to make a health care directive
for any state in which you plan to spend extended time.
Do I need to talk about my choices with my doctor? YES
It is good for your doctor to know and understand your choices
before a medical emergency comes.
Can I make a decision now about donating my organs/tissue upon my death?
YES
Your health care directive allows you to make many choices
including organ/tissue donation, funeral arrangements and where you want
to receive care.
Do I have to fill out a health care directive? NO
High quality medical care will always be given, even if you
do not have a health care directive.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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It is the policy of Unity Family Healthcare to assess all patients/residents,
18 years and older, to determine the existence of a health care directive.
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Staff do not condone or participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide.
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These are our values at Unity Family Healthcare. We believe:
1. Each person is created in the image and likeness of God.
2. Physical life is not the highest value in human life.
3. The body is good, but death is not to be avoided at all costs.
4. It is the right and responsibility of each person to make thoughtful
health care choices, including a choice to turn down or stop care that
is useless or hard to bear. |
Complaints regarding health care directives may be made to the Office of
Health Facility Complaints at (652) 215-8713 or 1-800-369-7994.
If you have more questions about Health Care Directives, you may call
the Social Services Department or the Spiritual Services Department at
St. Gabriel's Hospital. Forms are also available at the Albany Area Hospital
and Medical Center.
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