(VENTURA, CA – August 2, 2005) — As the marvels of medical
science allow for the sustaining of life, recent events in the
news serve as a reminder that many people have strong feelings
about the kind of medical care they would like to receive or
refuse in certain circumstances. That is why SCAN Health Plan is
recommending that all individuals – but particularly seniors –
complete an “advanced directive” that gives family members and
healthcare providers specific direction about treatment
choices.
“You have the right to accept or refuse any medical treatment as
long as you are mentally competent, but someday you may become
too ill to make your own decisions about your medical care,” says
Gary Lieb, M.D., of Buenaventura Medical Group. “If that happens,
then decisions will have to be made for you. If you have not
given any instructions, physicians and family members may not
know your preferences regarding life-prolonging treatment. That
is why filling out an advanced directive is so important.”
Advanced directives are documents signed by a competent person in
advance of need. There are two types of advanced directives. One
is a “durable power of attorney for healthcare” that allows an
individual to name a “patient advocate” to act on his or her
behalf. The second is a “living will” that allows a person to
state their wishes in writing.
“In filling out these forms, an individual should ask themselves
whom they would like to make treatment decisions for them if they
become unable to do so and how they feel about ventilators,
surgery, resuscitation, drugs or tube feeding if they became
terminally ill,” says Dr. Lieb. “I recognize that most people
don’t like to think about this, but it is so important that this
be thought out and put in writing to simplify this difficult
process.”
Experts agree that among the other issues people need to consider
in advance is “what kind of medical treatment would you want if
you had a severe stroke or other medical condition that made you
dependant on others for all your care?”
“While you can make your desires known by simply talking with
your family or doctor, unless you have a signed durable power of
attorney, a patient advocate may not have legal authority to act
for you,” says Dr. Lieb. “With a patient advocate and written
instructions, everyone will understand what sort of mental,
physical or social abilities are important to you for you to
enjoy living.”
Individuals who wish to complete an advanced directive may get a
copy of the appropriate forms by contacting Aging with Dignity at
(888) 594-7437 or at www.agingwithdignity.org.
Currently Dr. Lieb is featured on KNBC offering health tips to
seniors regarding the importance of advanced directives. It is
part of a series of health tips being offered as a public service
by the not-for-profit SCAN Health Plan.
Founded in 1977, SCAN is one of the four largest Medicare
Advantage Plans in all of California and consistently ranks as
one of the state’s fastest growing. SCAN currently serves over
73,000 seniors in Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San
Bernardino counties. In addition to its health plan, SCAN also
manages one of the largest and most successful Multi-Purpose
Senior Service Projects (MSSP) in California providing community-
based, long-term care and in-home personal-care coordination for
low-income frail seniors. Further information may be obtained at
www.scanhealthplan.com.
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