Question

Your neighbor knocks on your door. Knowing that you are a student in a healthcare administration program, she asks you to explain advanced directives. She explains that she is assisting her elderly father, and she has many questions: What is a living will? What is a health care durable power of attorney (also known as a health care proxy)? How can someone create a living will or health care proxy? What issues should someone consider before making a living will or health care proxy? How are treatment decisions made for incapacitated patients who do not have health care proxies or living wills? What will happen if a patient’s family members disagree about the care of an incapacitated patient? What will happen if a patient’s health care provider believes that the family is insisting on medically inappropriate treatment?

Dont use the one thats already posted and please include 2 APA references

Answer 1

Living will refers to giving certain information or instructions regarding the care or treatment to be given to an  individual when sick or at his end of life stage.It is usually done in a sound mind when the patient is probably healthy enough to take decisions and plan for his treatment

His can be created by hiring a lawyer who is the person aware of the state laws regarding this.

Power of attorney refers to the person allowing or granting other person to take decisions on behalf of them when terminally ill or need a support To take medical decisions or financial decisions  .But the decision made by agent must be granted by the grantor for execution.If the grantor is incapacitated, then the power of attorney will not be effective for financial purposes. In case if the patient is incapacitated on the grounds of medical reasons ,the the POA gives the rights to the agent to take decisions on behalf of the patient.

This can be created by filling in the Healthcare Power of attorney form.This gives a brief description on the person whom the power is given.Two back up agents can also be fixed by the principal in case if the first preferred agent is not available. The grantor can even as the capability to reverse it at any point of time and can make changes in it..For it to be active,it has to be signed and dated by the principal.In has to be witnessed and motorised in some state.

Some of the issues one can consider  while making a living will or a health care proxy are

• Finding out the right person,a person of faith
• Financial security
• Ethical dillema in opting for the agent

The treatment decisions are made after discussing with the immediate family members in case of an incapacitated patient.The person who signs the consent form when admitting a patient.This person acts as a surrogate decision maker.

The patients family members has the right to agree of disagree the care depending upon the benefits achieved by the patient.When the family members disagree about the care,a written consent is taken from them.

When a provider identifies that the family members are insisting for inappropriate treatment, then it is punishable legally.Because life is precious and a family member cannot request for this types of action.