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The laws vary by state or province, but generally the law does not allow another person to automatically make decisions for you – not even your spouse or a close relative - without your explicit directive. You have to specify your wishes in a personal or advance directive or living will.
Anyone over the age of majority can complete a personal directive. It can be made with or without the assistance of a lawyer. It becomes a legal document when it is dated, signed, and witnessed.
What if?
Becoming incapacitated from an accident can happen to anyone at any time. If you are living with heart disease, it becomes even more important for you to have a personal directive or living will.
Normally, when you are faced with medical or personal decisions, you have the right and the ability to decide for yourself. If and when you are in a condition where you are not able to make these decisions, they will be made for you by doctors, a legal guardian, or your personal agent as appointed in your personal directive.
Your personal directive will make clear your wishes about
Do not Resuscitate
A Do Not Resuscitate order (or DNR order) is a written order from a doctor indicating that resuscitation should not be attempted if a person suffers cardiac or respiratory arrest. Such an order may be instituted on the basis of an advance directive from a person, or from someone entitled to make decisions on their behalf through a health care proxy.
Power of Attorney
An enduring power of attorney appoints a person of your choice and gives him or her the power to manage your finances and deal with your assets - if and when you are not able to handle your finances yourself.
How to get started
The best advice regarding advance directives is to talk to your lawyer or attorney for guidance and assistance. Alternatively, you can prepare your own directive for health care decisions and enduring power of attorney for financial matters. You may also want to involve your pastor, priest, or health care provider.
Write, date, and sign the directive. Have a witness sign the document in your presence. Indicate who has copies and how to contact them.
Health care providers are obligated to follow the wishes of the personal directive unless it is illegal, will harm others, or is in conflict with provider’s ethics.
Once you have a personal directive, notify your closest relative(s) and legal representative.
Give copies of your living will to the important people in your life. Carry a signed wallet card, indicating you have a advance directive, its location, the name of your designated agent(s), and how to contact them.
Revise and update regularly
Mark a date on your calendar each year to remind yourself to review your personal directive.
Knowing that your wishes are clear will bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones.
These are general guidelines. For specific advice, consult your lawyer or attorney and check the laws of your state or province.
Resources
www.mayoclinic.com/health/living-wills/HA00014
estate.findlaw.com/estate-planning/living-wills/
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