April 8, 2009 – The State Bar of Wisconsin is joining forces with Governor Jim Doyle, the Wisconsin Hospital Association and others in urging Wisconsin residents to prepare for eventual end-of-life treatment options by discussing their wishes with family, friends and health care providers, and by executing written advance directives.
The Bar’s Elder Law Section is making English- and Spanish-language pdf copies of a guidebook entitled A Gift for Your Family available for a free download from its website for two weeks beginning on April 16, 2009, which has been designated National Health Care Decisions Day (NHDD) by the governor and other national and state leaders across the country. Printed copies can also be ordered from the Bar (quantity discounts are available).
In Wisconsin, an estimated 80% of residents (including 50% of those with severe or terminal illnesses) have not completed an advance directive documenting their preferences.
“Under Wisconsin law competent adults have the right to control decisions about their future medical care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment, and the right to be an organ and tissue donor,” explains State Bar president Diane S. Diel. “A Gift to Your Family offers practical insights on a range of issues surrounding end-of-life decisions, such as power of attorney for health care, living wills, and organ and tissue donation.”
The Bar’s guidebook includes sample Power of Attorney for Health Care and Declaration to Physicians (Living Will) forms. State forms are also available for these needs from the state Department of Health Services.
For more information about NHDD and related materials, please visit:
“End-of-life issues are never easy to think about, let alone discuss with loved ones and healthcare providers, but the best time to do so is when you’re healthy,” Diel cautions. “We hope this initiative will make that process a bit easier for Wisconsin residents who want to ensure that others aren’t burdened with ever having to make those decisions for them.”
