The Basics on Advance Directives “ Thy will be done...” Text prepared by Lutherans For Life,...

The Basics onThe Basics onAdvance DirectivesAdvance Directives

““Thy will be done . . .”Thy will be done . . .”

Text prepared by Lutherans For Life, Inc.Text prepared by Lutherans For Life, Inc.Presentation prepared by Lutherans For Life, Inc.Presentation prepared by Lutherans For Life, Inc.

Lutherans For Life, 2005

Advance DirectiveAdvance Directive

An instrument in writing wherebythe person signing

the instrument, the principal,provided direction in the document for

futurehealth care decisions should that

person become unable to make their own

health care decisions.Black’s Law Dictionary

Sixth Edition


Living WillLiving Will

A document which governs the withholding or

withdrawal of life-sustaining treatmentfrom an individual in the event of an

incurable or irreversible condition that willcause death within a relatively short time,and when such person is no longer able to

makedecisions regarding his or her medical

treatment.Living wills are permitted by statute in most

states.Black’s Law Dictionary

Sixth Edition


Health Care Power of Health Care Power of AttorneyAttorney

An instrument in writing wherebyone person, as principal, appoints

anotheras his agent and confers authority to

performcertain specified acts or kinds of acts

on behalf of the principalregarding his health care only.

Black’s Law DictionarySixth Edition


AgentAgent

A person authorized byanother (principal) to act for

or in place of him;one intrusted with another’s

business.Black’s Law Dictionary

Sixth Edition


Origins of Living WillsOrigins of Living Wills

Euthanasia Education CouncilEuthanasia Education Council(now known as Choice in Dying)(now known as Choice in Dying)

States enacted Living Will legislationStates enacted Living Will legislation

Patient Self-Determination ActPatient Self-Determination Act


Living Wills Example 1Living Wills Example 1

““If I should have an incurable or If I should have an incurable or

irreversible condition that will cause irreversible condition that will cause

my death in a relatively short time…”my death in a relatively short time…”

arthritis

mental illness

days, weeks, months, year



““I direct my attending physician…”I direct my attending physician…”

Removes medical decisions from your family

whoever happens to be near…



““Withhold or withdraw medical Withhold or withdraw medical

treatment that only prolongs the treatment that only prolongs the

dying process…”dying process…”

food and fluids


Health Care Power of Health Care Power of AttorneyAttorney

Designate someone you trustDesignate someone you trust More than one personMore than one person

Share values about the sanctity of Share values about the sanctity of lifelife

Discuss your wishesDiscuss your wishes Do not be too specificDo not be too specific


The Slippery SlopeThe Slippery Slope

Right to refuse treatment

“Right to die”

Right to assisted death(physician-assisted suicide)

“Duty to die”

Euthanasia(“Right to kill”)


Refusing Medical TreatmentRefusing Medical Treatment

Right to refuse treatmentRight to refuse treatment Does not sustain life,Does not sustain life,

but prolongs the dying processbut prolongs the dying process Discuss if treatment is a burdenDiscuss if treatment is a burden ““Right to die” – patient is a burdenRight to die” – patient is a burden


Live Forever?Live Forever?

There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under

heaven:a time to be born, and a time to die.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a NIV


Life is a Gift from GodLife is a Gift from God

All the days ordained for mewere written in Your book

before one of them came to be.Psalm 139:16b NIV

Man’s days are determined;You have decreed the number of his

monthsand have set limits he cannot exceed.

Job 14:5 NIV


Who Decides?Who Decides?

I put to death and I bring to life,I have wounded and I will heal,

and no one can deliver out of My hand.Deuteronomy 32:39b NIV


The Role of the ChurchThe Role of the Church

I was sick and you looked after me.

Whatever you did for the least ofthese brothers of mine,

you did for me.Matthew 25:36b, 40b NIV


God Speaks in SufferingGod Speaks in Suffering

But those who suffer He delivers

in their suffering; He speaksto them in their affliction.

Job 36:15 NIV


Hope in SufferingHope in Suffering

And the God of all grace,who called you to His eternal glory in

Christ,after you have suffered a little while,will Himself restore you and make you

strong, firm and steadfast.1 Peter 5:10 NIV

My comfort in my suffering is this:Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:50 NIV


God Works in All SituationsGod Works in All Situations

And we know that in all things God works

for the good of those who love him,who have been called according

to his purpose.Romans 8:28 NIV


What If I Have a Living Will?What If I Have a Living Will?

Do you know what it says?Do you know what it says? Contact your attorneyContact your attorney They are revocableThey are revocable Start overStart over


Recommend ResourcesRecommend Resources

Protective Medical Decisions Protective Medical Decisions DocumentDocument International Task ForceInternational Task Force

on Assisted Suicide and Euthanasiaon Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Will to LiveWill to Live National Right to Life CommitteeNational Right to Life Committee

Durable Power of Attorney:Durable Power of Attorney:Christian VersionChristian Version Christian Life ResourcesChristian Life Resources


How to WitnessHow to Witness

Be preparedBe prepared Know the issuesKnow the issues

Assisted suicideAssisted suicide EuthanasiaEuthanasia

““Speak the truth in love” Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians (Ephesians 4:15)4:15)


Basics on Advance Basics on Advance DirectivesDirectives


Brochures from LFLBrochures from LFL

God’s Love in Human God’s Love in Human SufferingSuffering

Euthanasia and the Euthanasia and the ChristianChristian

A Guide for ChristiansA Guide for Christiansin Ethical Decision-Making in Ethical Decision-Making atatthe End of Lifethe End of Life


Brochures from LFLBrochures from LFL

God’s Love in Human SufferingGod’s Love in Human Suffering Euthanasia and the ChristianEuthanasia and the Christian A Guide for ChristiansA Guide for Christians

in Ethical Decision-Making atin Ethical Decision-Making atthe End of Lifethe End of Life

The Right to Die:The Right to Die:Rhetoric, Reality, ResponseRhetoric, Reality, Response


Before I DieBefore I Die


Ordering InformationOrdering Information

Lutherans For LifeLutherans For Life1120 South G Avenue1120 South G AvenueNevada, IA 50201Nevada, IA 50201

888.364.LIFE888.364.LIFE www.lutheransforlife.org


Mission StatementMission Statement

Equipping Lutherans to be Equipping Lutherans to be Gospel-motivated voices For Gospel-motivated voices For

LifeLife


Bring Good News to Bring Good News to LifeLife


What will

you do

to speak

for life?

www.lutheransforlife.org888-364-LIFE

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