Know what to do: living will and health care power of attorney explained!

Know what to do: living will and health care power of attorney explained!

What happens next when it comes to your own health and self-determination? An important aspect that is often neglected are living wills and health care powers of attorney. The Vorpommern-Greifswald Adult Education Center has taken on this topic and is offering an informative event on Wednesday, October 29th from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The location of the event is Gemeindewiesenweg 8 in Pasewalk, and anyone interested can take part for just 15 euros. The experienced lecturer Ralph Burgdorf, director of the Pasewalk District Court, will guide the participants through the material.

The event explains very clearly what happens in the event of a serious illness with no prospect of improvement and what legal regulations exist regarding the patient's right to self-determination. It will also be discussed how important the written will is for guardians and authorized representatives. In addition, participants receive valuable information on the content requirements for a living will and a health care power of attorney. If you are interested, you can register by calling 03834 87601856 or via the website www.vhs-vg.de (course number 252P10302).

Important regulations

But what exactly does a living will mean? Basically, consenting adults can specify in writing whether they want to agree to or prohibit certain medical measures. Supervisors or authorized representatives check whether these specifications also fit the current living and treatment situation. If there is no living will, the representative must decide together with the doctor, based on the patient's presumed wishes, how the treatment should continue. Due to the legal requirements of the Civil Code, in particular Section 1827, such regulations are an indispensable part of patients' rights.

In addition to the living will, there is the option of a health care power of attorney. This enables a person of trust to act in the event that the person granting the power of attorney is incapacitated or unable to consent. The authorized representative then has the task of representing the will of the person who is no longer able to consent. The Federal Ministry of Health offers advice and even an online tool with which consumers can create their living will step by step. This tool also provides helpful explanatory texts to make the decisions more understandable.

Patient will and organ donation

Anyone who deals with the topic of living wills may also think about organ donation. An important point here is that the patient's wishes are legally and ethically decisive. All expressions of will, both for treatment and for organ donation, must be taken into account if both declarations are available. However, limiting treatment does not necessarily rule out organ donation, which is why various case constellations must be taken into account.

Overall, it shows that dealing with living wills and health care powers of attorney is not a frivolous undertaking. It's about securing your personal will in times when you can no longer vouch for it yourself. If you want to deal with this topic, the Vorpommern-Greifswald Adult Education Center is the right place. Protect your interests and get informed!