Very important: by law in most states, you can control the conditions of your end of life care. State laws vary but if you are in California, this[0] is the for

Very important: by law in most states, you can control the conditions of your end of life care. State laws vary but if you are in California, this[0] is the form you print out, fill out, have notarized, and give copies of to your regular physician and the person(s) holding your medical power of attorney. Every person should do this, because without this clear and legally binding statement of your wishes, medical people are compelled to do everything possible to preserve your life. Part 1 establishes who can act for you when you can't act for yourself (i.e. in a coma). Unless you are legally married or a minor (when your spouse or parent can act), nobody can intervene to make medical choices for you. Under privacy laws, nobody can even ask about your condition. So your live-in lover or best friend is helpless to change how you are cared for -- unless they are named in a document like this one. Part 2 expresses your wishes on how you want to be cared for at end of life. If Scott Adams's father had filled out this form and checked 2.1(b), none of that tragedy would have happened! And you can add more conditions. On my form, for example, I specified that if I was unable to read, to watch TV, or listen to audio with comprehension, and had no reasonable prospect of regaining those abilities, my life was over and I wanted to refuse all medical interventions except pain management. My idea being, to die quickly of pneumonia is nearly as good as assisted suicide. However you fill it out, do fill it out, and encourage your loved ones to do so as well. A stroke or fall or collision can wipe out your consciousness at any age, and this form relieves your survivors of a lot of horrible choices. [0] http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/pdf/ProbateCodeAdvancedHealthCareDirectiveForm-fillable.pdf http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/pdf/ProbateCodeAdvancedHealthCare... (PDF)