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Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island is available to assist you with completing forms that inform others of your end-of-life wishes and with helping you understand what the forms mean.
Rhode Island law recognizes the right of adult persons to control decisions related to their own medical care. The law requires that all hospitals and health care providers provide their patients with information about their legal right to make decisions regarding their medical care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment. It also requires health care providers to ask patients if they have signed Advance Directives or wish to do so.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care – RI General Laws 23-4, 10-1 through 12
- Person must be 18 years of age or older to complete
- Authorizes agent (must also be 18 years or older) to make decisions if unable to do so
- Encompasses all health care decisions, including requesting or refusing treatment, but not assisted suicide.
- Medical condition does not have to be terminal
- Can include specific limitations/guidance
- Need not specifically address nutrition and hydration
- Forms available through Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island and through the state
- Must be signed by the individual and two witnesses who are unrelated, not the agent or alternate agent and not associated with the health care provider or facility providing care or treatment
- Is easily revoked, orally or in writing
- Is not recognized by emergency personnel – rescue, ambulances except when transferring nursing home patients who have a DNR (do not resuscitate) order.
- Applies only to terminal conditions that leave one unable to make or communicate decisions
- Does not put decision-making responsibility on a specific person (no agent)
- Is between the patient and the physician
- Spells out in writing under what circumstances you want medical care withheld or withdrawn
- Refers only to withholding or withdrawing care -- does not cover every possible situation
- Must specifically address nutrition and hydration
- No special form required, but one is available through the state
- Must be signed by individual and two witnesses not related to the individual
- Notary public not necessary
- Is easily revoked , orally or in writing
- Not recognized by emergency personnel, rescue, or ambulance
Sources: “Making Your Health Care Decisions” Hospital Association of Rhode Island
Forms are available at www.riag.state.ri.us or call Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island at 727-7970.
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