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The month of September is National Preparedness Month and this year's fires, floods and hurricanes have reminded us regularly of the need to be prepared.
When we think about preparing for the next disaster, we generally think of water, food and first-aid kits -- but what about your advance directive?
In an emergency, if someone becomes ill or injured, it is important that family and friends know how to respond to that person's health need. The purpose of an advance directive is communicating an individual's wishes, including the use of pain medications and life-sustaining technology, in case he or she is unable to make these decisions.
In Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging in the Department of Health developed a two-page brochure called "Your Advance Directive for Future Health Care." The full brochure is located at health.hawaii.gov/eoa/files/2013/04/AHCD.pdf. It states that the information provided is general and does not constitute legal advice. But it is an excellent place to begin. A brief overview of the questions and answers include the following:
Why do I need an advance directive?
When an individual cannot communicate his or her medical needs or desires, these decisions are made by family or doctors. This can be very difficult if there is disagreement about a treatment plan or the patient's wishes are unknown.
What do I put in my advance directive?
It is important to include at a minimum: types of treatment you do or do not want performed; preference for the type of comfort care; individual who will make decisions in your behalf (health care power of attorney).
How do I create my advance directive?
The Executive Office on Aging has included a sample copy of an Advance Directive with the brochure (health.hawaii.gov/eoa/files/2013/04/AHCD.pdf).
Individuals should: complete the Advance Health Care Directive Form; identify the health care power of attorney; properly sign (including witness signings) and notarize the document.
Are there other steps?
There are many stories of individuals who have an advance directive, but their wishes were not followed.
Perhaps an ambulance is called to the home of your elderly neighbor who lives alone and is found unconscious in her living room. The paramedics perform CPR and transport her to the hospital, where she is revived and placed on life support. No one knew of her advance directive and no family member was available to share her advance directive. If health care professionals do not have the advance directive, they cannot follow it.
To ensure that the advance directives are properly carried out, they must be shared with all those involved in an individual's care. This includes all applicable family members, caregivers, neighbors, doctors and other health care professionals.
So in preparing for the next emergency, consider downloading, completing, copying and sharing your advance directive with your family, friends and applicable professionals.
* Heather Greenwood Junkermeier is with the University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension, Maui Intergenerational and Aging Programs. "Aging Matters" covers topics of interest to the aging Maui community and appears on the third Sunday of each month.