The Thornton Colorado Statutory Equivalent of Living Will or Declaration is a legal document that allows individuals to express their healthcare decisions in the event they become unable to make them on their own. It serves as an important tool for ensuring that one's wishes regarding medical treatment, end-of-life care, and life-sustaining procedures are respected and followed. Under Thornton Colorado law, there are different types of statutory equivalents of a Living Will or Declaration that individuals can choose from based on their preferences and needs. These types include: 1. Traditional Living Will: This is the most common type of statutory equivalent, which allows individuals to specify the kind of treatment they wish to receive or refuse if they are incapacitated and unable to communicate their desires. It typically covers decisions related to life-sustaining measures, resuscitation, and artificial nutrition and hydration. 2. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: In addition to the traditional living will, this type allows individuals to appoint a trusted person, known as a healthcare proxy, to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. 3. Combination Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This type merges the traditional living will and durable power of attorney for healthcare into a single document. It grants individuals the ability to express their treatment preferences while also designating a trusted person to act as their healthcare agent. 4. Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST): Although not strictly a statutory equivalent of a living will or declaration, the MOST form is an important advance care planning document. It is completed in consultation with healthcare providers and, unlike a living will, contains specific medical orders that guide emergency medical personnel in providing appropriate care and treatment. 5. Advance Directive Registry: Thornton Colorado also offers an Advance Directive Registry where individuals can voluntarily file their living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare, or other advanced healthcare directives. This registry serves as a centralized location for healthcare providers to access necessary documents, ensuring that an individual's wishes are readily available when needed. The Thornton Colorado Statutory Equivalent of Living Will or Declaration allows individuals to have a say in their medical treatment when they are unable to communicate their desires. By completing and properly executing one of the aforementioned types, individuals can have peace of mind knowing that their healthcare decisions will be respected and upheld according to their wishes.