We are often urged to set up advance directives to make sure we aren’t being kept alive by extraordinary means if we don’t want that.
But it turns out that advance directives are often ignored.
A story in the New York Times cited a study that said having an advance directive had little effect on whether people are hospitalized or whether they die in the hospital.
Yet, the story points out, where people die has an impact on how they die.
The story says having an advance directive lifts an emotional burden from family members but is not the dominant factor in determining whether end-of-life wishes are followed.
The major factor is where you live and how aggressively local doctors practice.
Another factor is that the advance directives are not getting to where they need to be. Often, they are stashed away in drawers or safes. Or one doctor has a copy but the specialist doesn’t.
One study said advance directives were not included in the medical records of more than half of those surveyed.
It can be even worse when 911 is called. EMS workers need to see the documents.
One solution might be a program like one that has been instituted in Oregon where an electronic registry of end-of-life wishes has been created. Some other states have similar programs but they are not as comprehensive.
If you have questions about estate planning, feel free to call us for a consultation at (626) 696-3145.
