You reach the point of the patient's directive.
Overcoming the Anxiety of the Blank Page: Navigating the Process of Establishing an Advance Healthcare Directive - Facing one's Own Mortality Head On - Suggestions for Simplifying the Process.
If, in the future, I am unable to oversee my own medical care choices: Should I be mechanically intubated? Should I be mechanically fed? Where would I prefer to spend my final days: at home, in the hospital, or in a hospice?
These questions can all be addressed and regulated in an advance healthcare directive. This is crucial to ensure doctors are aware of your desired or undesired treatments in the event of an emergency. However, setting up such a directive can be daunting as no one enjoys contemplating their own end of life. Where should you begin? Where can you seek assistance? What else should you consider? Below are some suggestions:
Tip 1: Utilize Templates and Pre-written Sections
One way to alleviate the fear of a blank page is by using templates or pre-written sections. You can customize your advance healthcare directive based on your personal preferences using these. Notably, "Finanztest" (Issue 9/2024) noted that these templates increase legal certainty as the language might be unclear for non-medical individuals.
Various resources are available to create an advance healthcare directive, including from [website]. Many general practitioners also offer corresponding templates and pre-written sections.
Of interest: A date and signature are all that's necessary to make an advance healthcare directive legally binding, according to "Finanztest." A notary is not required in this instance.
Tip 2: Consult Your GP
Wishing to gain a deeper understanding of certain medical procedures, feel free to discuss your advance healthcare directive with your general practitioner.
However, be advised: according to "Finanztest," such a consultation is classed as an individual health service (IGeL), meaning the costs are not covered by mandatory health insurance. The cost of the consultation can range between 60 and 325 euros, depending on the scope of the conversation.
Tip 3: Regular Review
Once your advance healthcare directive has been completed, what's next? The German Consumer Advice Centre recommends carrying a note in your wallet that references the location of your directive, such as at home or with your doctor.
But that's not all. As our opinions and health statuses can change, it's prudent to review your advance healthcare directive regularly to ensure it remains up-to-date. Experts from "Finanztest" suggest doing this every three to five years and making any necessary adjustments. Legally binding advance healthcare directives that are decades old remain valid.
When drafting your advance healthcare directive, utilizing templates and pre-written sections can help alleviate any legal matters related to ambiguity, as stated in 'Finanztest' (Issue 9/2024). It's also important to regularly review and update your directive to ensure it reflects your current preferences and healthcare needs, as recommended by experts from 'Finanztest'.
