[COBOL2Java]

Neither the wife, nor the author appear to know what a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order actually means.

It means if there is a situation occurs that would end life such as a stroke or cardiac event, no heroics or treatment should be undertaken. It does not mean pump the old guy with phenobarbital and morphine until he flatlines. As far as I am concerned, they should rot in H3ll for the implication.

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The specifics can vary from state to state. At minimum, one needs four things:

• A will;
• A living will;
• A health care proxy;
• A power of attorney

A health care proxy, also known as a durable medical power of attorney, is a document that appoints someone you know, often referred to as an “agent,” to make health care decisions if you aren’t able. While the living will indicates whether you want to remain on life support, there may be other decisions to make before physicians reach that point.

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make financial and legal decisions for you.

And it goes without saying that these documents best be reviewed by a lawyer and certified. Can you just download a form from the internet for free? Sure, but as they say, you get what you pay for.

Disclosure: After my wife passed away last year intestate, I made darn sure I had all four of the above taken care of.

[bert]

Doctors ignore both the living will and the power of attorney

[mewzilla]

In my neck of the Upstate woods it’s called a MOLST. And it’s different from a DNR. Our family members have had both. FWIW. :-)