PRESERVING AUTONOMY BEFORE INCAPACITY: HEALTH CARE DECISIONS

Lewis County

Health Care Directive to Physician (Living Wills)

Washington State law allows you to create and use a document known as a Health Care Directive, commonly referred to as a Living Will. A Health Care Directive has an extremely narrow application. It gives directions to your physician and family regarding care and treatment that relate to the use of life sustaining procedures under certain circumstances, i.e., you are terminally ill or in a permanently unconscious state. The directive can include specific directions. You can get more information and do-it-yourself forms and instructions through "Questions and Answers about Living Wills" at www.washingtonlawhelp.org. If you do not have access to the internet at home, most public libraries have internet capability.

Only an adult acting completely voluntarily and with understanding can execute a Health Care Directive. Women of child-bearing age must include special language. You must be sign and date your Directive in front of two impartial witnesses who are not related and do not provide health care to you They must sign the document, too. You should give a copy to your physician, health care provider and hospital. In addition, it is wise to discuss your wishes with your family and let them know where you keep your Directive.

ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP FOR PEOPLE SHOWING INCAPACITY

There are alternatives to guardianship when someone is having difficulty managing personal care or financial affairs. Remember that making bad decisions does not necessarily demonstrate incapacity; it is when the decisions are clearly harmful to the person or others, and when they are different from the way the person managed things before becoming disabled.

Money Management Programs

Money management programs cover a broad range of services from direct bank account deposits and automatic withdrawals for paying certain bills, to personal money management services. Individuals can especially benefit from these services if they have no one willing, nearby, or responsible enough to act as an agent. Money management programs can also work for individuals who need some help with financial management, but without sufficient assets to make a trust worthwhile, or who do not want the restrictions imposed by a trust.

Mason County

Health Care Directive to Physician (Living Wills)

Washington State law allows you to create and use a document known as a Health Care Directive, commonly referred to as a Living Will. A Health Care Directive has an extremely narrow application. It gives directions to your physician and family regarding care and treatment that relate to the use of life sustaining procedures under certain circumstances, i.e., you are terminally ill or in a permanently unconscious state. The directive can include specific directions. You can get more information and do-it-yourself forms and instructions through "Questions and Answers about Living Wills" at www.washingtonlawhelp.org. If you do not have access to the internet at home, most public libraries have internet capability.

Only an adult acting completely voluntarily and with understanding can execute a Health Care Directive. Women of child-bearing age must include special language. You must be sign and date your Directive in front of two impartial witnesses who are not related and do not provide health care to you They must sign the document, too. You should give a copy to your physician, health care provider and hospital. In addition, it is wise to discuss your wishes with your family and let them know where you keep your Directive.

ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP FOR PEOPLE SHOWING INCAPACITY

There are alternatives to guardianship when someone is having difficulty managing personal care or financial affairs. Remember that making bad decisions does not necessarily demonstrate incapacity; it is when the decisions are clearly harmful to the person or others, and when they are different from the way the person managed things before becoming disabled.

Money Management Programs

Money management programs cover a broad range of services from direct bank account deposits and automatic withdrawals for paying certain bills, to personal money management services. Individuals can especially benefit from these services if they have no one willing, nearby, or responsible enough to act as an agent. Money management programs can also work for individuals who need some help with financial management, but without sufficient assets to make a trust worthwhile, or who do not want the restrictions imposed by a trust.

Thurston County

Health Care Directive to Physician (Living Wills)

Washington State law allows you to create and use a document known as a Health Care Directive, commonly referred to as a Living Will. A Health Care Directive has an extremely narrow application. It gives directions to your physician and family regarding care and treatment that relate to the use of life sustaining procedures under certain circumstances, i.e., you are terminally ill or in a permanently unconscious state. The directive can include specific directions. You can get more information and do-it-yourself forms and instructions through "Questions and Answers about Living Wills" at www.washingtonlawhelp.org. If you do not have access to the internet at home, most public libraries have internet capability.

Only an adult acting completely voluntarily and with understanding can execute a Health Care Directive. Women of child-bearing age must include special language. You must be sign and date your Directive in front of two impartial witnesses who are not related and do not provide health care to you They must sign the document, too. You should give a copy to your physician, health care provider and hospital. In addition, it is wise to discuss your wishes with your family and let them know where you keep your Directive.

ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP FOR PEOPLE SHOWING INCAPACITY

There are alternatives to guardianship when someone is having difficulty managing personal care or financial affairs. Remember that making bad decisions does not necessarily demonstrate incapacity; it is when the decisions are clearly harmful to the person or others, and when they are different from the way the person managed things before becoming disabled.

Money Management Programs

Money management programs cover a broad range of services from direct bank account deposits and automatic withdrawals for paying certain bills, to personal money management services. Individuals can especially benefit from these services if they have no one willing, nearby, or responsible enough to act as an agent. Money management programs can also work for individuals who need some help with financial management, but without sufficient assets to make a trust worthwhile, or who do not want the restrictions imposed by a trust.