Conflicts between directives, living will

Published 10:19 am Friday, November 14, 2014

Planning for end-of-life care with a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care is necessary in order to let your family, doctors, and hospital know what care you want at the end of life.

Legally you are entitled to certain kinds of care, but be aware that even though all your requests are legal, your living will may not be honored as you expect it to be. It might even be ignored.

Many formerly secular (non-religious) hospitals have affiliated with Catholic health care systems and are following Catholic health care directives that may be different from your religion and your living will. Because of this, they may not be able to follow your wishes with regard to the peaceful, painless death you have the right to have.

Hospital web sites may have information about their treatment. Also, much information such as the Catholic health care directives web site (www.ndcatholic.org/chd/resources/index.html) and the Compassion & Choices web site (www.compassionwa.org) may be found on the Internet.

On another subject, you might also want to check on whether the reproductive treatment you need will be available at your hospital. It may not be.

Joy Mauser
Hansville