The state of Michigan has two types of advance directives. The first is the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. The second is a Do-Not-Resuscitate Declaration. Both can be vital components of your estate plans and your health care plans.
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care can be used in both ambulatory care and inpatient settings. For non-hospital settings, the Do-Not-Resuscitate Declaration is used. A living will is not a recognized Advance Directive in the state of Michigan. This is an important piece of information, though, as it can be combined with a DPOA-HC to assist the Patient Advocate that has been named to understand the treatment choices the patient wants.
While an Advanced Directive isn’t required, it’s important that your family and friends know what you want when it comes to medical treatment if you can’t make decisions for yourself. If you are admitted to the hospital, you will be asked several times about whether you have a DNR Declaration.
If you want to make changes to your Advance Directive, you can do so at any time. You should review this important document at least once a year to make sure it still names a person you trust as your advocate and states the treatment you want and don’t want.
Anyone 18 years old or older and of sound mind is eligible to have a DPOA-HC. The physician who is responsible for your health care and one other physician will make the determination that you are no longer able to make your own decisions.
Advance Directives are an important part of any estate plan. Your estate planning attorney can ensure that your DPOA-HC and your DNR Declaration are complete and meet your needs.
Source: University of Michigan Health System, “Advance Directives: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care,” accessed Dec. 23, 2015