Los Angeles, California, often known as the "City of Angels," is a vibrant and diverse city located on the west coast of the United States. It is home to a vast population and serves as a cultural, economic, and entertainment hub. With its beautiful weather, stunning beaches, renowned attractions, and thriving entertainment industry, Los Angeles welcomes millions of visitors each year. Legal Guide to Advance Directives for Health Care provides valuable information and guidance in preparing for healthcare decisions in Los Angeles, California. Advance directives are legal documents that individuals create to specify their healthcare wishes in case they are unable to communicate or make decisions in the future. This guide ensures that individuals' medical preferences are honored and followed, empowering them to have control over their healthcare treatments. There are several types of advance directives available within the Los Angeles, California area. They include: 1. Living Will: A living will allows individuals to outline their preferences regarding medical treatments they wish to receive or avoid under specific circumstances. It often covers issues such as life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and end-of-life care. 2. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This advance directive designates a trusted individual (healthcare agent) to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual if they become incapacitated or unable to communicate. The agent acts as a personal advocate and ensures that the person's wishes are respected. 3. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order is a specific directive that instructs healthcare professionals not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if an individual's heart stops, or they stop breathing. This order is typically for individuals with advanced illnesses or age-related conditions who wish to avoid aggressive life-saving measures. 4. Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POST): POST is a portable medical order that outlines specific preferences for life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care. It is typically used for individuals with serious illnesses or in hospice care. Los Angeles residents can consult the Legal Guide to Advance Directives for Health Care to understand the legal requirements, benefits, and limitations of each type of advance directive. This guide also provides instructions on how to create and update these documents, ensuring that individuals' healthcare decisions are well-documented, respected, and adhered to when the time comes.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.