The free guide is available upon request from Athens Regional and St. Mary's. The guide presents scenarios in which fictional people consider choices about whether to prolong life in certain cases such as terminal illness or coma, and if so, what medical treatments to use or exclude. Each scenario is followed by a series of questions that prompts readers to consider how they might decide in a similar situation. Readers can develop their thoughts with a questionnaire that helps define some guidelines for the type of care they want to receive and the quality of life they want to maintain. Finally, the booklet offers a legal document known as an ''advanced directive,'' a term which includes living wills and power of attorney designations.
Individuals can also appoint someone to make decisions in certain circumstances.
But completing an advanced directive is only part of the equation. Williams advises taking a copy of the document to both hospitals. They will keep the document until the owner says it is no longer valid. Some area churches perform a similar service, storing advanced directives for their members. Critical Conditions proponents stress that creating guidelines for family members is one of the key reasons for completing an advanced directive.