Health Directive

[urbanhiker]

Hi,
We will be leaving for the Camino in a couple of weeks and were wondering about an Advance Health Directive giving each of us the authority to make health decisions for the other should something happen to either of us.
While we do have them here for us in the United States we are unsure if they will apply in Europe. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ray

 

[sillydoll]

Do you mean a DNR (Do not Resuscitate) or 'Living Will'? Perhaps you need to carry those on your person so that your companion doesn't have to make that decision.

 

[urbanhiker]

Yes, actually what we have is a Directive authorizing each other to pull the plug or not to resuscitate, and we have both discussed this among ourselves. Because this is something we have signed in the United States, and we are not related, we wonder if this will be honored in Spain. We will have copies with us on the Camino.

 

[fraluchi]

what we have is a Directive authorizing each other to pull the plug or not to resuscitate, and we have both discussed this among ourselves.

It's called a "testamento vital" in Spanish, and not likely to be understood if the document has not been officially translated and notarized in presence of the parties involved.

 

[urbanhiker]

Thanks. I will investigate the subject now that I have more info. Of course we don't plan on anything happening. We feel safe and are very excited about the Camino, but just thought we'd plan for the possibility.