At my (young-ish) age, the whole point of an Advanced Directive/Durable Power of Attorney is to plan for wacky, unforeseen circumstances where I can’t make health-care decisions on my own. So, waiting around to do this is just silly…and potentially very thoughtless to those I care about. It isn’t enough that I have been very vocal with my family, friends, and (on more than one occasion) complete strangers, concerning my wishes in this scenario. There is that whole legal aspect to things and I need to GET IT DONE!
FYI, just for the internet record, if I am no longer able to read a book, it’s time to pull the plug.
Also, for me, there has always existed an unwritten adjunct to this goal which includes encouraging other people to adopt and complete this goal. So consider yourself encouraged. Here’s a link at The Center for Practical Bioethics (I worked there several years ago) that takes you directly to a page that will get you rolling—at least, those of you in the US. Unfortunately, I haven’t the slightest idea what resources are available to those of you in other countries—but I bet they’re out there, and they are most likely better in many ways.
