Advance Directives
Advance directives are documents that allow you to control
decisions that need to be made about your healthcare at a time you are not able
to make those decisions yourself. There are two main kinds of advance
directives: one is called a Natural Death Act Declaration (often called a
“living will”) and the other is called a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
Through advance directives, patients can make legally enforceable decisions
about their medical treatment in situations where they cannot speak for
themselves or in end-of-life situations. Kansas law recognizes both a living
will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
Two common advance directives are:
- A Living Will: A written document expressing your wishes
concerning the use of life-sustaining procedures. Two physicians must designate
that you are "terminally ill" before a living will becomes effective.
- Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: A written document
that lets you name someone to make your healthcare decisions if you become
unable to speak for yourself.
While in the hospital you can ask for forms and help filling
them out. You can also get forms and information from Kansas Health Ethics.