A Health Care Directive

Ruth’s dad is in a nursing home. He is eighty years old and has heart disease. He is in a coma and is dying.

Ruth is his health care agent. She makes choices about pain control for her dad. Ruth’s dad completed a health care directive about ten years ago, while he was still healthy. The document states his wishes about health care.

Ruth has been thinking about her own health care. She says to her husband, “I should do my health care directive. I have made choices for my dad. Now I want my family to know my wishes about my medical care. I will talk with my doctor and get the form from him. I will fill out the form soon. Would you be my health care agent?”

Keith replies, “Yes, I will be your agent. Let me know when you would like to talk more about this. I should do one too.”