The discussions between families and healthcare providers regarding medical care decisions are affected by the medical care needed, and influenced by cultural norms, values and beliefs. Central to core values is an individual’s right to make life choices, especially health care choices.
The Patient Self Determination Act (PSDA) enacted in 1990 ensures your rights are protected, including the fundamental rights to treatment choices, consent to treatment, open communication with health care providers, and control over one’s own life and death. Although discussions regarding healthcare choices can be challenging, the impact can be even more challenging due to an individual’s illness or incapacity.
The PSDA provides an opportunity for you to decide now about the types and extent of healthcare you want to accept/refuse should you become incapacitated. Furthermore, the PSDA requires agencies that receive Medicaid/Medicare funding (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes) to ask you what treatments you will or will not accept.
Advance Care Planning (ACP), and Advance Directive build on the PSDA. Advance Care Planning is the process of planning for future healthcare should you become unable to communicate or incapacitated. When you are ready to document your decisions for future healthcare, an Advance Directive may be completed. An Advance Directive (living will) is a legal document that specifies what actions should be taken for your healthcare if you become unable to communicate or decide for yourself in the future, because of illness or incapacity.
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