| People who are in the last stages of cancer | | | | asked to state to state his or her preference. |
| should pay some attention to end-of-life decisions. | | | | However, advance directive is not only about |
| The most important is advance directive, also | | | | dying with dignity. There are some patients who |
| known as living will, for medical treatment. This is | | | | might want to live as long as possible using CPR |
| nothing but a document written by the terminally | | | | or artificial breathing machines. If this is mentioned |
| ill person while he or she is still capable of making | | | | in your living will, the doctors and your family |
| decisions. The advance directive basically states | | | | would have to respect it. In fact, the doctor |
| that the patient does not want artificial means of | | | | would have to do everything to save your life or |
| surviving should he or she become mentally | | | | prolong it. |
| incompetent. Artificial life saving measures include | | | | Those who find writing advance directive morbid, |
| CPR, respirators or anything else the person can | | | | do not have to do it. Instead they can appoint a |
| think of. | | | | health care agent. This is someone who makes all |
| The reason why advance directive only applies to | | | | the healthcare decisions on your behalf when you |
| a person who in mentally incapable of making | | | | are incapable of making them. However, you |
| decisions is because prior to that a doctor can | | | | would have to tell the agent what your wishes |
| ask the person what his or her preferences are | | | | are while you are still able to think and |
| about the treatment. However, once the person | | | | comprehend coherently. |
| becomes mentally incompetent, he cannot be | | | | |