Medical power of attorney for health care and directive to physicians

[ricitosdeplata]

In 1997 I drew up a Medical Power of Attorney for Health Care and a Directive to Physicians related to end of life decisions. Does anyone know how a situation in which there is a solo traveler unable to communicate about medical treatment is treated in Spain? The chances are slim that I would ever need it but do you travel with copies of these documents?

 

[Phillypilgrim]

I would leave all my important information with family at home, and carry a card that says "in case of emergency, please notify..." in Spanish as well as native language.

 

[ricitosdeplata]

I guess paperclipping this info to my passport would be the best place for this info.

 

[Kanga]

The law of the country you are in will determine the outcome - in many cases a document such as you describe has no legal affect but only an indication of wishes. Perhaps someone with knowledge of Spanish law could tell us. If the document is of no effect there is no point in worrying.
But for my future modelling career, I'd have a tattoo on my chest ("DNR" - do not resuscitate).

 

[ricitosdeplata]

Directivo anticipado = advanced directive. I just found a pdf of a Spanish advanced directive and what looks like my medical power of attorney. http://www.caringcommunity.org/adva...ce-health-care-directive-english-and-spanish/

Looks like I won't have to get that tattoo after all. Voluntades anticipadas o testamento vital are 2 related terms in Spanish that I found.
Interesting article on the matter:http://www.elconfidencial.com/socie...-tiene-registrado-su-testamento-vital_786473/

 

[ricitosdeplata]

@MendiWalker, will check that out.

 

[Sailor]

Looks like I won't have to get that tattoo after all. Voluntades anticipadas o testamento vital are 2 related terms in Spanish that I found.

Buenos dias. I can speak, read, and write in Spanish, and based on the article you just need to have the Testamento Vital, which is a document prepared by you and notarized. As per the article, the law in Spain is that the doctor must comply when the Testamento Vital is presented. The best thing to do is to check with the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate to see how this law applies to non-citizens and visitors.

Buena suerte, y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[ricitosdeplata]

Igualmente, @sailor. Thank you for your suggestion. Eres muy amable. I just sent an email requesting information from the Spanish Consulate in Houston, Texas. It was a simple email but I tried my hand at writing in Spanish, with a little help from the internet.

 

[Kitsambler]

By the way, my understanding is that the "DNR" tattoos are not observed/enforced by US medical personnel. And even if you have the correct DNR form for your state, properly and completely prepared, hanging by your bed, if Emergency Services ("9-1-1") is called to the house then you will get resuscitated.

 

[ricitosdeplata]

@Kitsambler , my most recent experience has been with my father's passing and due to a worsening chronic condition he was vehement that he did not not want any heroic measures. So I was highly motivated to find out what we would need when the time of his end came.

My research result is that if a person has a cardiac arrest at home and is not on hospice, 911 is called. A document called an Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate must be present or CPR will be given. I'm not sure but I think each state has its own form. Through a home health social worker we were able to have Dad sign one here in Texas. Soon Dad was on hospice care, so we called the hospice nurse at the end.

 

[Sailor]

Based on this conversation I took a look at my "VA Advance Directive, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will" -- my document needed revision. I have updated the information using VA form 10-0137 (this form is for veterans), will place a copy in my VA Medical Record and keep the original with my important documents. Gracias Ricitos, usted ha sido un faro en medio de mi tempestad.

 

[ricitosdeplata]

@sailor, no hay de que. This is not an easy topic and one I explored mainly because I was nudged by a couple of family members who I have to thank. I'm glad you got your papers in order.

The person I talked to at the consulate has not given me a definitive answer yet. If I don't get an answer before I leave in 4 weeks, I'll download a form used in Spain from the following website and follow the instructions for filling it out and hope for the best:
http://www.eutanasia.ws/testamento_vital.html

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I get no pay from them so I hope I'm not violating forum rules, but I wear an interactive Road ID (google 'road id') on marathons/hiking, and for Spain bought a new one, entering instructions/allergies in Spanish. It has website/phone info so emts/md can call/log in. You can upload living will, medical history, meds, family contacts. Sometimes you wallet may not be found with you...