MedicAlert, the easy way to store your Advance Decision
With the subject of Advance Decisions and Living Wills making the headlines each week, The MedicAlert Foundation has a solution for people who want to make sure their wishes are adhered to.
For many, the opportunity to make an Advance Decision ensures that their wishes regarding treatment are respected should they no longer have the capacity to make their own decisions, for example, as a result of Alzheimer's or other medical conditions.
MedicAlert is unique in being able to register an individual's Advance Decision and communicate important personal wishes regarding treatment in an emergency. An Advance Decision ensures that an individual's choice about treatment is recognised even if they are seriously ill with little chance of recovery and are no longer able to communicate their wishes.
MedicAlert provide an easy way for people with Advance Decisions or Living Wills to store them and ensure that access to decisions is available in an emergency. MedicAlert Member wear a bracelet, necklet or watch (known as an Emblem) engraved with a personal identification number, main medical condition(s) and an emergency telephone number. Each tailor made Emblem bears the internationally recognised symbol of the medical profession. In an emergency situation, Medical Personnel know to look for the MedicAlert Emblem and ensure that individuals get the appropriate treatment and personal wishes adhered to.
Chris Lunn, Head of Communications at The MedicAlert Foundation explains:-
‘The MedicAlert service has been used for more than 40 years in the UK to ensure that people are given the right treatment when seconds count. Currently, more than 800 people have their Advance Decisions stored with MedicAlert. This means that should anything happen to that individual, we will simply retrieve the Advance Decision from the MedicAlert system and hand this document to medical personnel. Wearing a MedicAlert Emblem gives access to your medical details in an emergency situation wherever you are, 24 hours a day.'
Jacqueline, 57 years old from York and her husband registered their advance decisions with MedicAlert 15 months ago as they were adamant that they wanted to be the only people that decided their future should such a situation occur. Jacqueline and her husband made a living will and registered this important decision with MedicAlert. Jacqueline says:-
"My decision to have a living will fits in with my philosophy about life. By registering with MedicAlert my decision is recorded so that, should there be a time when it is needed, I know that I will have full control of what will happen to me, not my next of kin or a medical professional".
If you have an Advance Decision and wish to register this information with MedicAlert, please call freephone 0800 581 420 or visit http://www.medicalert.org.uk/
To find out more about producing an Advance Decision please visit Dignity in Dying, Age Concern, The Terrence Higgins Trust or the Trafford Law Centre who all have information on setting up an Advance Decision.
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