Health Leader, What to Ask

What to Ask?

Before you download the living will and the advance medical directive, take a look at these questions to help you make decisions. Bring these questions to your family discussion.

When does life end?
Who determines when it does?
Who decides who is "fit" to live?
Are such decisions legal, medical, cultural and/or religious?
Is the higher path choosing quality of life or sanctity of life?
When is life support a tool to postpone death rather than extend life?
How can relatives have clear consciences if they withdraw or institute life support?
When a person cannot communicate her wishes for herself, what systems need to be in place?
How does one determine his own and family members' wishes before an emergency arises?

Steps to Take

When it comes to making end-of-life decisions, think about what you want for yourself and ask family members what their wishes are well ahead of the time they might need it.

UT Neurologist James Grotta advises:

Write down your wishes and have copies notarized.
Give a copy of your directive to the paramedics.
Do not stuff your medical directive into a safe deposit box. It is the last place someone would look for your written instructions during an emergency.
Make sure your family members and doctor have copies.
Ask that a copy be put in your hospital file.
Choose a healthcare agent—someone who is legally empowered to make decisions about your care when you can't.

"There is absolutely nothing, however that will replace a long and heartfelt talk with your family members about your end-of-life wishes," Grotta says.

For more information on living wills, selecting a healthcare agent or advocate and starting conversations with your family and doctors about your wishes visit these websites:

Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives
www.peopleslawyer.net/deathdying.html
www.uslegalforms.com/livingwills/texas-living-will-forms.htm
Five Wishes, a living will form with a form for designating a healthcare agent from Aging with Dignity
www.agingwithdignity.org
Center for Practical Bioethics workbook, Caring Conversations http://www.practicalbioethics.org
For end-of-life-care issues, the Handbook for Mortals from Growth House
www.growthhouse.org

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UPDATED: 4-06-2005

About Dr. Grotta:

Dr. James Grotta holds the Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Distinguished Chair in Neurology at UT Medical School.

See Dr. Grotta also at:

Health Tip:

Men: Pay Attention
to Your Bicycle Seat

Men who bike more than three hours a week should be aware that standard bicycle seats, ridden for extended periods, can cause temporary numbness and, in some, more serious problems, such as erectile dysfunction.

Such problems are caused by compression of an artery and a nerve connected to the penis. New seat designs to minimize compression are now available.
Other preventive measures you can incorporate:

change the position (height) of the seat
use a padded or wide seat
stand frequently on the pedals
frequently shift positions while riding
avoid significant time in the forward position
use the legs to absorb shocks when riding over bumps.