Health Care Advanced Directive:
What is it? Do you have one?

Everyone should have a plan, in writing, for the "worst case scenario" when it comes to our health and health care. This may seem daunting, but fortunately there is help.

The state of Maine has recently revised its multi-part "Maine Health Care Advance Directive Form." Under Maine law, the term "advance directive" means any spoken or written instructions someone gives about the health care he or she wants if a time comes when they are too ill to decide or speak for themselves.

The law requires that some instructions be in writing. One example is a health care power of attorney, which enables individuals to appoint someone to make medical treatment decisions for them if they are incapacitated.

Anyone who already has signed an advance directive should put it in a safe place and be sure their physician, hospital and family have a copy. A copy of the signed form is as good as the signed original.

Every hospital, nursing home and many other places, including physician offices, have these forms, or can tell patients how to get them. In addition, links to the form and other information can be found at the Penobscot Bay Medical Center web site at pbmc.org/advanceddirective. (Click here for the page in a new window).

"The Maine advance directive is a valuable tool for all of us who wish to be responsible about health care planning," said Dana Goldsmith, Vice President, Medical Affairs, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center.

In addition to the health care power of attorney, the directive includes forms that enables people to choose treatments they want and don't want; name a primary care physician or practitioner; state wishes about donating their body, organs or tissues at death; and specify wishes about funeral and burial arrangements.

Note that this directive does not apply to money or property, only to health care. In addition, if someone has a mental health condition, there is another form to use. That information is available from the Maine Disability Rights Center, 1-800-452-1948 or http://drcme.org/publications.asp?pubid=16.

Keep in mind that no one can make someone sign a health care advance directive or stop someone from signing one. Everyone has the right to change or cancel a form at any time. What's more, an advance directive form does not allow anyone to violate laws against mercy killing and euthanasia.