Every state has its own laws regarding end-of-life issues. Regardless, preparing for your final days is an emotional process that should be discussed with a physician, family members, and a reputable attorney. The directives include declarations on a living will, life-prolonging procedures, and a do-not-resuscitate document.
In the state of Indiana, the directive may name a person of your choice to make health-care choices for you when you cannot make a choice for yourself. The directive can also be used to prevent certain people from making healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Interestingly, in the state of Indiana, a hospital or physician cannot require you to complete “advance directives”. (Indiana does not require advance directives) if you do not want one. Under Indiana law, if you don’t have an advance directive in place and you are unable to make a medical or treatment decision, Indiana law makes the decision for you. The Indiana Code 16-36 allows any immediate family member or a court appointed individual to make the decision for you.
An Indiana resident that cannot communicate at the end-of life and is without an advance directive will have the assistance of a physician to contact an immediate family member to make health care decisions.
Where are the details for Indiana’s directives?
There are two links for helping with advance directives. For forms that are specific to Indiana residents log on to: http://www.caringinfo.org/files/public/ad/Indiana.pdf.
A brochure detailing your options for end-of-life advance directives: http://www.in.gov/isdh/files/advanceddirectives.pdf.
