Patients who are capable of making their own health care decisions have the right to consent, reject and withdraw consent for medical procedures, treatments or interventions. They can say yes, no or “I will think about it.” For patients who are incapable or incapacitated, someone else must make decisions for them.
In the event that you reach that point, it’s a good idea to designate how you want your case to be handled. An Advance Directive such as Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or a Living Will are legal documents that help you make sure your wishes will be carried out and that your loved ones won’t be burdened with tough decisions.
Resources
- Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care — Designates who will make decisions in your stead if you are incapable.
- Living Will Declaration — You specify in advance what treatments and interventions you want when death is imminent.
If you are interested in making an Advance Directive for a patient of Monument Health or need more information, please contact your hospital and ask for Case Management.
- Custer Hospital, 605-673-9400
- Lead-Deadwood Hospital, 605-717-6000
- Rapid City Hospital, 605-755-1000
- Spearfish Hospital, 605-644-4000
- Sturgis Hospital, 605-720-2400
For general information regarding South Dakota Advance Directives, please click on the following link: https://www.caringinfo.org/
Frequently Asked Questions
Advanced Directives
A durable power of attorney for health care is a document that you, the “principal,” create by appointing another person, the health care “agent,” or “attorney in fact,” to make health care decisions for you should you become incapable of making them yourself.
A living will is a document that instructs your physician and other providers as to the circumstances under which you want life-sustaining treatment to be provided, withheld or withdrawn.
Both are recognized in South Dakota – durable power of attorney in 1990 and the living will in 1991.
If you signed either document before those dates, you should have your document reviewed to make certain it meets current requirements.
Most experts agree that durable power of attorney for health care is a far better option than a living will. The durable power of attorney for health care does everything that a living will can do, and it can include a statement of your wishes on the subject of life-sustaining treatment.
A living will does not address the many other health care decisions that must be made should you become incapable of making your own decisions. A durable power of attorney for health care, though, can authorize your agent to make “all” health care decisions. It is in this way far more comprehensive and flexible than a living will.
First, you need to think carefully about who knows you best and will best be able to speak for you on health care matters. For many, this will be a spouse or a child, but you may name anyone, including a friend.
Second, you should consider where the person lives and whether that person could be present when health care decisions need to be made for you. Finally, you should consider naming a second person to act as an agent in the event that your first choice is unable or is unwilling to make the decision.
Ask if he or she is willing to accept the responsibility of being your health care agent.
If the person you have selected accepts the responsibility, then discuss the various kinds of health care decisions that may have to be made in the future and what your wishes are.
No. The agent must follow your wishes and must consider your physician’s recommendations. A decision by your agent must be within the range of accepted medical practice.
There is no approved form for a durable power of attorney for health care. Professional assistance should be sought in all instances.
The South Dakota living will statute contains a living will form which you may use. It is not a simple document. You should obtain assistance prior to signing the living will form if you do not understand the form or any of its terms.
There is nothing to prevent you from using such forms, but those forms are unlikely to take into account South Dakota’s special requirements.
The most important relates to what is known as artificial nutrition and hydration. If you want your agent to have authority to direct the withholdings or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration, you must say so in your durable power of attorney for health care.
If you sign a living will and prefer that artificial nutrition and hydration not be provided, your living will must say so. There also are special provisions relating to withdrawal of treatment from pregnant women.
Durable powers of attorney for health care and living wills are not simple documents. They should include your special wishes and should be tailored to meet your needs.
You should consult with a lawyer. You should visit with your physician about this before or during the time when you are having the document prepared.
If you sign a durable power of attorney for health care, you should discuss it with the agent you have selected. No matter which document you have chosen, inform your physician, your family, and your religious advisor.
You may also want to give copies to each of these individuals but be careful to keep a list; in case you should later decide to revoke your durable power of attorney for health care or living will, you will want to get those copies back.
You can amend or revoke a durable power of attorney for health care or living will at any time while you are still capable of doing so.
Federal law requires that hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and hospice programs provide their patients and residents with written information on their policies with respect to durable powers of attorney for health care and living wills.
Most hospitals and nursing homes will provide this written information during the admissions process. You should carefully consider the questions and information set forth in this pamphlet prior to your admission to a hospital or nursing home.
