One of the hardest things to think about having to do is making the decision of what to do when a loved one has a terminal condition. Or perhaps you have been in the position of having made the decision in the past. You know the reality of how difficult the decision is to make but also wonder if it was the right decision and was it was your loved one would have wanted.
Under the Montana Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, Montanans have the right to complete a declaration, another name for advanced directives or living will. This allows an individual to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment when an individual has a terminal health condition. Five Wishes meets the legal requirements for an advanced directive. Information about obtaining a packet on Five Wishes can be obtained through fivewishes.org.
An individual can also complete a POLST (Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). The POLST is a medical order honored by all Montana health care providers. It becomes part of your medical record and must be signed by you and your healthcare provider.
An End-of-Life Registry web site is maintained by the Montana Attorney General’s Office. This site is secure and gives authorized health care providers immediate access to the documents you have submitted so it provides the medical care provider with the advanced directives you have determined.
All of the above information was taken from the MSU Extension MontGuides. These and sample forms can be downloaded at http://www.store.msuextension.org or stop by or call for hard copies.
MT199202HR Montana Rights of the Terminally Ill Act
MT201203HR Planning for the End of Life: Approaching End-of-Life Advanced Directives with Family Members
MT201112HR Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
MT200602HR Montana’s End-of-Life Registry
To learn more, contact Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the green building next to the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton with any questions or for more information.
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Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
