Catholic Bishops Offer Forms to Aid in Advance Care Planning
Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops have recently published a form aimed at helping individuals convey their desires regarding health care decision-making in a manner that aligns with Catholic principles. The form, provided in one version for those who are Catholic and in another version for those who are not, was designed as an addendum to the State of Wisconsin’s Power of Attorney for Health Care (POAHC) document.
A POAHC is an advance directive, which is a legal document through which an individual declares the kind of care that he or she would want if unable to participate in decision making. The POAHC enables a person to designate an agent to make health care decisions for that person if ever incapacitated. When used in conjunction with a valid Wisconsin POAHC, the addendum communicates a person’s desires, consistent with Catholic teaching, on decisions regarding nutrition and hydration, pain management, and other health care matters.
The addenda were developed in response to requests for resources to supplement the bishops’ pastoral letter, “Now and at the Hour of Our Death.” Based on principles found in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services,” the forms provide a moral and ethical framework that can guide a decision maker through the difficult process of directing care for a loved one.
“These forms help family members, friends, and providers approach medical treatments through the moral lens of the patient, ensuring respect for human life and affirming a belief in eternal life,” noted WCC Executive Director John Huebscher. “Individuals may use them to further explain their ethical perspective to health care agents and providers.”
Wisconsin’s bishops have consistently encouraged advance care planning and have recommended that all Catholics prepare a power of attorney for health care. By providing an additional advance care planning resource, the bishops hope to encourage all in Wisconsin to reflect upon their future health needs from a spiritual perspective.
With the release of these documents, the bishops also stress the need for individuals to pray for guidance, reflect on the principles of faith, and discuss their desires honestly and openly with loved ones. “The bishops stress the importance of contemplating questions regarding care in light of Catholic teaching before a crisis occurs,” said Huebscher. “Having conversations about the reality of illness and death in light of one’s faith is as important as completing a form. People must make certain that their health care agent fully understands what a loved one’s perspective is before being called upon to act on their behalf.”
The bishops also wish to spur conversation about advance care planning within faith communities. They encourage parishes to work collaboratively with hospitals and hospice programs in providing outreach and support on advance care planning.
The POAHC addenda are available at no cost on the WCC’s website, www.wisconsincatholic.org. For further information on these publications, contact the WCC at 608-257-0004 or office@wisconsincatholic.org.
The State of Wisconsin POAHC document is available free of charge from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/advdirectives/Index.htm. To obtain the form by mail, send a request for the document along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Power of Attorney, Division of Public Health, PO Box 2659, Madison, WI 53701-2659.
Published:2014-03-05