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 The
staff at the Minneapolis VA Medical center respects the choices
and concerns you have about your health care. Your doctor and
treatment team are available to explain your treatment options
and listen to your preferences and concerns.
There may come a time when you are unable to decide or tell us what you want.
You have the opportunity now to make some decisions ahead of time. You can tell
us in writing about the kind of care you would want if you could not speak for
yourself. You do this through an Advance Directive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Advance Directive?
An Advance Directive is a written document that explains the health care you
want to receive if you cannot or choose not to make your own decisions. There
are two kinds of Advance Directives:
A Living Will (also
known as health care instructions) lets you state in advance what kind of care
you would want or not want if there comes a time when you cannot make these decisions
for yourself.
A Durable Power of Attorney
for Health Care is used to appoint a person you trust to make health care
decisions for you when you cannot or choose not to make your own decisions. This
person is called a proxy or a health care agent.
Who can be my proxy?
It should be someone you trust–a spouse, parent, adult child, friend, or
other family member. Whoever it is, you should talk to them about your concerns
and wishes, what kinds of treatments you would want or not want. You and your
proxy cannot know all of the questions that might come up in the future, so you'll
want your proxy to know what you value most in life and how this reflects on
the type of care you would choose for yourself.
What happens if I do not have an Advance Directive?
If you can no longer make decision about your health care, your doctor will ask
your next of kin, family, and friends what they believe you would want. These
decisions are not easy to make. They can cause great stress in families that
haven't taken the time to discuss these matters ahead of time.
How do I go about making an Advance Directive?
At the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, the best place to begin is with one of
our social workers. Just ask to see your team social worker. The social worker
has the experience, knowledge, compassion, and the forms to help you create your
own Advance Directive.
What other help is available?
Our medical center has resources to help you write your Advance Directive. These
include video programs on VATV or in the Patient Education Center on the first
floor. Doctors and nurses can answer your medical questions. Social Workers are
available for counseling. Chaplains are available for spiritual concerns. Copies
of our medical center's Advance Directive policy and procedure are available.
Can my Advance Directive be changed?
Yes, but only by you. You may change or cancel it at any time. You can do this
by simply telling your doctor, but it is better to write a new Advance Directive.
Be sure to tell your proxy and others concerned with your health care.
Once you have an Advance Directive…
An Advance Directive is only effective if it is shared with those who need to
know. It must be part of your medical record. Make copies for your doctor(s),
your proxy, your own records, and for anyone else concerned with your health
care.
Have more questions?
Want to create an Advance Directive?
Contact your team social worker:
Extended Care and Rehabilitation (612) 725-2043
Mental and Behavioral Health (612) 467-1921
Primary Care (612) 467-1100
Specialty Care (612) 467-3514
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