CONTROLLING TREATMENT

Attorneys and legal scholars offer this advice for any adult, regardless of age or health, who has preferences about his treatment if he becomes seriously ill:

Complete a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care form outlining your wishes and designating a proxy, have it signed by two witnesses or a notary, and distribute copies to your proxy, relatives, doctor, and any hospital you enter. Forms can be obtained from the California Medical Association by writing Sutter Publications, Box 7690, San Francisco, CA 94120 and enclosing $1.59 for each copy. The price is less for lots of 10 or more. For information about obtaining the forms, call 415-541-0900.

If you have no one to designate as a proxy and are concerned only about shutting off life-support systems when you are terminally ill, fill out a “living will” as described in California’s Natural Death Act. Consult an attorney or medical personnel.

If you cannot meet all requirements of the Natural Death Act, write your own “living will” and discuss it with family members. It has no force in law but can be used as evidence of your wishes, and can bolster the family’s decision about prolonging or discontinuing treatment.

If you do nothing, your family can decide whether to pull the plug.

If you are among family members asked to decide a relative’s treatment, and no directives from the patient exist, ask questions and request a second doctor’s opinion about the “hopelessness” of the patient’s condition.