Today, an increased awareness is being noticed among the common people about the end life care. We all know that death is inevitable, but people today believe, how we die, how much treatment or what we kind of treatment we receive should depend solely on us. If we do not want to receive any treatment after a certain point, we should not be forced to accept that. However, there is another side of the story. Some people find this practice highly unethical. There are indeed, different aspects of this practice. We will now try to look into these different aspects as impartially as we can.
• Ethical issues –Everyone has different views about euthanasia and this is what pro-life people and right wingers are concerned. The perception of assisted dying may differ from one person to another. This group of people believes that advance care planning is something that would take part in ending one’s life. However, if you will see it in other perspective, you may be able to understand that its primary purpose is to prepare for the unavoidable death. This will give individuals the freedom to decide what will be done with their remains and their estates. This way, everything will be in order.
• Legal Side – On the contrary, advance planning for death has some plus points too and legal benefits are one of them. You now can decide what kind life you want and absolve your family as well as your doctors of all legal responsibilities. For instance, through such planning you may forbid the use of various kinds of onerous medical treatments, which often just extend life, but cannot cure a person. Some also forego food and water supplied via tubes or other medical devices at certain stage through advance planning. As I said, such acts may terminate life earlier, but if you make a will to that effect while you are still alert in mind and body, the doctors as well as your family will no longer be legally responsible for such omissions.
• Personal advantage –pre-planning your death also has personal benefits. For one, your preferences will be honored. You will have a say on how your remains will be disposed and laid to rest. This matters especially when you do not share your burial beliefs with your surviving family. Without a will, you would keep your family guessing about many things. In addition, you can take solace with the fact that you will leave everything in order and your bereaved will not have to make decision when they are emotionally devastated. In a way, you would do them a little favor.
• Personal choice – However, if you believe that we are trying to cajole you into taking any decision, you are wrong. To plan or not to plan depends entirely upon your personal philosophy of life. As I said, if the quality of life is more important to you than life itself, you will go for such plans; otherwise, you should refrain from it. Also, consider your family’s sentiments. If they are not very happy with your decision, give the whole matter a second thought. In short, weigh each side carefully and do whatever you feel is just.
• Paperwork –definitely, there are papers that you need to arrange should you decide to take a step further with advance care planning. There are two documents that must be prepared with your lawyer. These two will be discussed briefly below.
o The living will is actually a set of instructions given by individuals specifying what actions should be taken for their health in the event that they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity. You generally provide these instructions while you are still mentally and physically alert. If you become incapacitated, this living will be consulted and the future course of action will be decided accordingly.
o DPOA or durable power of attorney allows you to appoint somebody to make all the decisions on your behalf. If you opt for it, make sure the person is trustworthy. After all, your life will depend on the decision this person is going to take.
As I said, whether to plan and not to plan depends entirely upon your personal philosophy. You should opt for it only if you feel comfortable about the whole idea. If on the other hand, you still feel that it is unethical, it is all right. What kind of life you want depends entirely on you.
Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma, who is a specialist in hispanic estate planning. For more information on servicios funerarios Guatemala and servicio funerario Guatemala, visit his site today.