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Taking Your Healthcare into Your Own Hands
The advances in medical technology today present patients with numerous treatment options that prolong life. Some people do not want such treatment and others wish to take advantage of every procedure available to them. In many cases, these decisions must be made when the patient incapacitated and no longer able to state their preferences.
A growing number of people are taking matters into their own hands by stating their health care choices in writing while they are still able to make these decisions on their own. These legal documents, called Advance Directives or Living Wills, direct your physician that certain life-sustaining procedures should be withheld or withdrawn if you are in a terminal condition and unable to make decisions for yourself.
Advance Directives are legally binding in all states; however, it is not necessary to consult an attorney. Once your decisions are made, you should discuss them with your physician and your family members. Don’t rely on someone else to make decisions for you.
Advance Directive forms are available at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway. If you would like more information, or would like to file an Advance Directive, call the Social Services Department at (732) 499-6151.
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