Under Colorado law, you have the right to accept or reject medical treatment – including artificial life support – by speaking for yourself or, if you are unable, authorizing someone else to make the decision on your behalf.
A Living Will is a document where you can give doctors direction in the event that you are in a persistent vegetative state or terminal and unable to express your wishes; but, that directive is limited to those specific circumstances. However, coupling a Medical Power of Attorney with a statement of intent to your agent is broader; it will give your agent the tools he or she needs to make medical decisions consistent with your wishes when you are unable to do so for yourself.
You should consider taking copies of your Advanced Medical Directive/Living Will with you when you are checking into a healthcare facility for any outpatient or inpatient procedure. It is also important that your immediate family, primary physician and any healthcare professional providing you treatment have current copies of your directive and know your wishes.
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