If
you do not sign a Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Will, the
Health
Care Surrogate Act may allow certain persons to stop or not start your
life
sustaining treatment without court involvement. This person is called a
Surrogate. Under the surrogate decision making process, your physician
will
identify a Surrogate in the order listed below:
1.
A court appointed guardian of your person
2.
Your spouse
3.
Any of your adult children
4.
Either one of your parents
5.
Any of your adult brothers or sisters
6.
Any of your adult grandchildren
7.
One of your close friends
8.
A court appointed guardian of your property
However,
before the surrogate decision-making process can be used, all
of the
following requirements must be satisfied:
1.
Two physicians agree that you have at least one of the following (1) a
terminal
condition, (2) incurable or irreversible condition, or (3) permanent
unconsciousness.
2.
Two physicians agree that you are unable to make health care decisions.
The
Surrogate is required to make life sustaining treatment decisions in
accordance
with your wishes. If your wishes are not known, then the Surrogate may
make
decisions based upon what is in your best interests by taking into
account your
values, beliefs, and religious views.