MN HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE (also known as Advance Directive)
This month we look at MN Health Care Directives.
WHAT IS A HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE?
A Health Care Directive is a form that you fill out to describe the kinds of medical care you want to have if you are no longer able to decide or communicate your preferences. It allows you to control your health care decisions even if you become incapable.
Adults of all ages are at risk as a result of an injury or illness. Putting your wishes in writing is the best way to help make sure your wishes will be known and followed by family, friends, health care providers and others.
It can seem overwhelming when first viewing the document, but the worksheet is very helpful in walking you through the document step by step.
Things to consider:
These are tough choices to make, but you don’t have to make them alone. Take your time; share your questions and concerns with your doctor, nurse, lawyer, family and friends.
The document is legal when you sign and date it and it is witnessed by two individuals or a Notary Public.
A Health Care Directive remains in effect until you revoke it. If you complete a new one, it invalidates the previous one. It is important to review it periodically to be sure it still reflects your views. I
f you spend a significant time in another state, you should fill out that state’s directive as well.
WHERE CAN YOU OBTAIN A HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE?
• Copies are located in the Parish Nurse Pamphlet Rack (including an instruction worksheet
• Doctor’s Offices, hospitals, senior centers, nursing homes
• MN Board on Aging: www.mnaging.org (quick link on right hand side)
• Caring Connections: www.caringinfo.org
What to do after your advance directives are signed:
• Make several photocopies of the completed documents.
• Keep the original documents in a safe but easily accessible place, and tell others where you put them; you can note on the photocopies the location where the originals are kept.
• DO NOT KEEP YOUR ADVANCE DIRECTIVES IN A SAFE DEPOSIT BOX. Other people may need access to them.
• Give photocopies to your agent and alternate agent.
• Be sure your doctors have copies of your advance directives and give copies to everyone who might be involved with your healthcare, such as your family, clergy, or friends. Your local hospital might also be willing to file your advance directives in case you are admitted in the future.
Once you have completed your advance directive you need to talk to anyone who might be involved in your healthcare decision making. This includes family members, loved ones and your healthcare providers. You want them to understand how you feel about medical treatment at the end of life.
** Important to know: Emergency medical technicians cannot honor Health Care Directives. Once emergency personnel have been called, they must do what is necessary to stabilize a person for transfer to a hospital, both from accident sites and from a home or other facility. After a physician fully evaluates the person's condition and determines the underlying conditions, advance directives can be implemented.
OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
For information on how to talk to your loved ones or health care provider, if your family disagrees, and other concerns go to www.caringinfo.org and click on Plan Ahead.
Health Care Agents: Choosing One and Being One is a helpful handout found on the Parish Nurse Pamphlet Rack.
If you have any questions, please call or email me at 651-699-1378 ext 3031 or mjhallberg@gloriadeistpaul.org
Stress Reducing Tip of the Month
Stop Multitasking: What?!? It might seem productive but it slows us down from actually focusing on a task and completing it.
Reasons not to multitask:
Multitasking is less efficient, due to the need to switch gears for each new task, and then switch back again.
Multitasking is more complicated, and thus more prone to stress and errors
Multitasking can be chaotic, and we need to reign in the terror and find a little oasis of sanity and calm. So think single-task! 
Caring Connections
MN Agency on Aging
Mn Health Care Directive and Worksheet
Downladable forms Mn Health Directives: Q and A