What If I Haven't Made Any Choices Yet
by:
BEGINNING JULY 1, 2005, ALL LIVING WILL, DURABLE POWERS OF ATTORNEY (DPOA) AND ORGAN DONATION DESIGNATION FORMS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE WYOMING ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM.
IF YOU EXECUTED THESE DOCUMENTS BEFORE JULY 1, 2005, THEY ARE STILL VALID. BUT, TO AVOID COMPLICATIONS IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONSIDER REPLACING THEM WITH THE WYOMING ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM.
REMEMBER: IF YOU CHOOSE TO REPLACE A LIVING WILL, DPOA OR ORGAN DONATION DESIGNATION DOCUMENT WITH THE WYOMING ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE, PLEASE DESTROY THE OUT DATED MATERIAL TO AVOID CONFUSION.
What if I haven't made any decisions yet?
- Maybe you have not thought about what you want if you become sick.
- Maybe you've thought about it, but haven't written it down.
- If either of these is true, Wyoming Law will make choices for you.
Here are some things to think about:
- As long as you can make yourself understood, you'll be able to call the shots
- Sometimes sick people are unable to talk or write. Sometimes they have not signed a Wyoming Advance Health Care Directive, living will and/or DPOA.
- If this is the case, the law says that your family may decide for you.
- If you are in a coma which will result in death, your family will decide.
- If you are so ill that you will soon die, they will decide.
What If I Am Not Sick Enough To Die?
It may be the case that you are not going to die but cannot make your wishes known.
In this case your family may still be able to choose for you. Keep these things in mind:
- Sometimes family members have a hard time agreeing on what to do.
- They may disagree with your doctors.
- If this happens, your treatment could be delayed.
- This may be a good reason for signing a Wyoming Advance Health Care Directive form.
[See Wyoming Advance Health Care Directive form]
What Happens If My Family and Doctors Disagree?
If people disagree, your hospital, nursing home or hospice may ask the court to give you a guardian.
- This person will make your choices for you.
- Getting a guardian can cost a lot of money.
- This may also be a good reason for signing the Wyoming Advance Health Care Directive form.
In any case, your needs would best be served by having a Wyoming Advance Health Care Directive form.
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