[WSBAPT] Health care directive/hydration

[John J. Sullivan, Esq.]

Adrienne:

 

Although I was once nationally certified as an EMT, I don't pretend to be a
medical professional. I'm not aware of a method of artificial hydration
other than intravenous, and that's what I reference in my DTPs. 

 

As far as whether to choose it or not, I will tell you a story. 

 

I noticed after a while that none of my physician clients were declining
artificial hydration. I asked one of them once why. He told me that in coma
and end of life situations we simply do not know whether the patient feels
pain or not, but that if patients can feel it dehydration is an
excruciatingly painful way to go. Also, in a coma/end of life circumstance,
unlike you and I walking around who would die after three days or so without
water, the body reabsorbs waste fluids and the process of dying can extend
for 2 to 3 weeks. 

 

Contrary, I once had the unhappy job of being a client's last resort as
health care AIF - I had to consent to the withdrawal of "life sustaining
treatment." I asked the ICU doctor the same question. She answered that when
the body gets to the end, endorphins kick in and we don't feel anything. 

 

So . take your chances. An opinion is above my pay grade. 

 

John J. Sullivan

 

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>
On Behalf Of Susan Donahue
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 4:07 PM
To: akwills at willslawfirm.com; 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv'
<wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Health care directive/hydration

 

Hi Adrienne,

 

Well, the nurse clients I have had have told me that artificial hydration
means hooking up a drip and pumping water into the body, but they also tell
me that at the end of life, this is not a good idea because the body just
cannot process the influx.  Same with artificial nutrition.  But I don't
offer this analysis since I am not a medical professional.  Most people
don't have a question about it.  I've only had one person choose to allow
artificial hydration and nutrition in 8 years of preparing health care
directives. 

 

Perhaps someone else has a more technical definition.

 

Susan

 

 

Susan Donahue

Law Office of Susan Donahue

125 West 2nd Avenue, Suite "B"

P.O. Box 81

Twisp, WA 98856

(509) 996-5944 (phone)

(509) 362-9692 (fax)

sdonahue at sdonahuelaw.com <mailto:sdonahue at sdonahuelaw.com> 

www.sdonahuelaw.com <http://www.sdonahuelaw.com> 

 

 

 

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com
<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>
<wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com
<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> > On Behalf Of Adrienne Keith
Wills
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 3:44 PM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com <mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com> 
Subject: [WSBAPT] Health care directive/hydration

 

Hi Listmates,

 

I'm curious to know if anyone has specific information about what qualifies
as artificial hydration under RCW 70.122.030 (health care directive)?

 

Thank you, Adrienne

 

--

Wills Law Firm Inc. (please note the new name for my practice)

Adrienne K. Wills, Attorney | Mediator

Helping family law and estate planning clients create their legacy 

 

1700 Seventh Ave, Suite 2100 | Seattle, WA  98101

Web:   <http://www.WillsLawFirm.com> www.WillsLawFirm.com | Tel. (206)
523-3047 <tel:%28206%29%20523-3047>  | Fax (206) 219-6714

 

 

--

Wills Law Firm Inc. (please note the new name for my practice)

Adrienne K. Wills, Attorney | Mediator

Helping family law and estate planning clients create their legacy 

 

1700 Seventh Ave, Suite 2100 | Seattle, WA  98101

Web:   <http://www.WillsLawFirm.com> www.WillsLawFirm.com | Tel. (206)
523-3047 <tel:%28206%29%20523-3047>  | Fax (206) 219-6714

 

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