When You're Too Sick to Make Decisions

We are pleased to reprint the text of "Five Wishes" with permission from Aging With Dignity. To use this as a legal document in those states that accept it (see first article), you MUST send for the paper version (only $5). However, even though you may live in a state where Part A is not accepted as a legal document, it is a good tool for thinking through Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care issues. And in those states you can often get a legal form from most hospitals and some doctor's offices.

Part B is perhaps one of the strongest features of Five Wishes because it goes into comfort and remembrance issues. Reading this online edition can encourage you to discuss these topics with your family.

The document was designed by Aging with Dignity, which is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1996 to affirm and safeguard human dignity, and to promote better care of the dying. Living in Mother Teresa's home for the dying in Washington, DC as a full-time volunteer inspired Aging with Dignity's founder, Jim Towey, to develop Five Wishes. If you would like more information on Aging with Dignity, visit their website or you can write them at P. O. Box 1661, Tallahassee, Florida 32302, 1-888-5-WISHES (or 1-888-594-7437).

Important Note #1:

This material is NOT intended to be legal advice but to help you become aware of a way you can make your wishes known concerning care at the end of your life, information that will make certain your family members and friends won't need to guess what you want.

Important Note #2:

This form is not legal unless you live in one of the states below and even then it must be filled out on the printed version you can get from Aging With Dignity.