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Advance directives templates
An advance directive is an arrangement made by competent persons regarding their healthcare treatment in the eventuality that they might become unable to make their own healthcare decisions. Often, such directives are put in place to enable or allow natural death, such as making it clear that one does not wish to be resuscitated. Advance directives may be about the circumstances surrounding possible future treatment, the kinds of treatment, or by whom decisions should be made.
There are two main kinds of advance directives, namely:
A ‘living will’, or statement of wishes, is a means by which a competent person provides guidance to others regarding the end-of-life choices they become incompetent to refuse such treatment themselves. For example, a person may complete and sign a document that specifies that they would prefer withholding or withdrawal of all medication, such as antibiotics, and including artificial nutrition and hydration, should they fall into a permanent vegetative state (PVS) or become irreversibly non-responsive.
A ‘section 7 mandate’ is a legally binding document that is described in the National Health Act of 2003, whereby a person is appointed in writing to make healthcare decisions for you should you be incapable of doing so. Importantly, it is clear in the Act that mandated persons are legally empowered to make medical decisions on a user’s behalf, and doctors must comply. The decisions and preferences of the mandated person should be respected AS IF the patient is making their own decisions.
DignitySA makes advance directives freely available in English and Afrikaans. For our Advance Directive Planning Guide or a template for section 7 mandate, please click on the link below. For templates for a living will, access to Love Legacy Dignity’s ‘Purple File’ (a comprehensive checklist for checking out) and additional helpful resources, please click here to sign up as a member of DignitySA (it’s free)
DignitySA Section 7 Mandate (English) download
DignitySA Section 7 Mandate (Afrikaans) download
DignitySA Advance Directives Planning Guide (English) download