Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advanced Health Directives
For those living with COPD, it is important to plan ahead and to ensure your family members and/or carer is aware of your wishes in relation to ongoing treatment.
You have the ability to document an Advanced Health Directive or instructions for your loved ones as to your wishes in the event that you lose capacity to make decisions because of your illness or while undergoing treatment.
An Advanced Health Directive can look at issues including:
- What level and extent of treatment you wish to undergo.
- Who should have the power to make decisions on your behalf.
- Special medical conditions that your doctor or other medical staff should know about.
- Religious, spiritual or cultural beliefs that may affect treatment.
- Considerations in relation to resuscitation or the withholding or withdrawing of life sustaining measures.
- Your wishes in relation to the donation of organs in the event of your death.
In combination with an Enduring Power of Attorney, an Advanced Health Directive will ensure your wishes are met and maintained.
An Enduring Power of Attorney (called Enduring Guardianship in Tasmania) appoints a responsible and trusted person to make decisions on your behalf. This document remains in force even when you lose capacity to make decisions on your own.
