Amberwell Health is committed to providing information, education, and assistance with advance directives to the Atchison community. An advance directive is your written, legal instructions for your health care. We assist with three kinds of advance directives:
- Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions-This document allows you to designate who you would want to make healthcare decisions for you if something happens and you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Your doctor will always communicate with you about your treatment options as long as you are able to understand and decide. This document is signed, witnessed, and notarized.
- Healthcare Treatment Directive-This document states your wishes for medical care in the event of serious illness or the end of life. Many people do not want aggressive medical treatment if there is no reasonable hope that they can regain an acceptable quality of life. Again, your doctor will always communicate with you about your treatment options as long as you are able to understand and decide. This document is also signed, witnessed, and notarized.
- Do Not Resuscitate Directive-This document is a physician order which directs medical personnel not to do CPR or other treatments if your heart and breathing stop. It is signed by you and your doctor and is also witnessed. It should be posted in the home for reference by emergency medical personnel.
