Advance Directives Research Paper

The two most common types of advance directives (AD) are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care, which is sometimes called the health care power of attorney or health care proxy. The living will covers health care decisions when you are terminally ill and unable to make decisions, or permanently unconscious. A living will is a document designed to control future health care decisions only when you become unable to make decisions and choices on your own. The durable power of attorney for health care allows you to name an agent or proxy (substitute person) to make your health care decisions if the time comes when you are unable to do so. Advance directives can also include extra instructions about your health care decisions. It is a legal document in which you choose a proxy (agent) to make all your health care decisions if you become unable to do so. For example, advanced directives allow you to specify when you do not want to be resuscitated or if you want to make organ or tissue donations. Advance directives usually let you include instructions for other situations, too, such as when you may be unconscious for a short time, or are impaired by Alzheimer disease or a similar condition. "Types of Advance Directives."
On February 25, 1990 when Schiavo was 26, she collapsed in her home. Oxygen was cut off from her brain, which lead to severe brain damage. Even after the severe brain damage, Terri Schiavo maintained a heartbeat and was able to breathe on her own. However, the only way she was able to stay alive was with the help of a feeding tube connected to her stomach. "The Whole Terri Schiavo Story." Terri's condition was the…show more content…
N.p., 25 Mar. 2005. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
"Terri Schiavo." Terri Schiavo. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
"The Whole Terri Schiavo Story." WND. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
"Types of Advance Directives." Types of Advance Directives. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar.