2005 Connecticut Code - Sec. 19a-575a. Form of document re health care instructions, appointment of health care agent, attorney-in-fact for health care decisions, designation of conservator of the person for future incapacity and anatomical gift.

      Sec. 19a-575a. Form of document re health care instructions, appointment of health care agent, attorney-in-fact for health care decisions, designation of conservator of the person for future incapacity and anatomical gift. Any person eighteen years of age or older may execute a document which contains health care instructions, the appointment of a health care agent, the appointment of an attorney-in-fact for health care decisions, the designation of a conservator of the person for future incapacity and a document of anatomical gift. Any such document shall be signed and dated by the maker with at least two witnesses and may be in the substantially following form:

THESE ARE MY HEALTH CARE INSTRUCTIONS.
MY APPOINTMENT OF A HEALTH CARE AGENT,
MY APPOINTMENT OF AN ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
FOR HEALTH CARE DECISIONS,
THE DESIGNATION OF MY CONSERVATOR OF THE PERSON
FOR MY FUTURE INCAPACITY
AND
MY DOCUMENT OF ANATOMICAL GIFT
      To any physician who is treating me: These are my health care instructions including those concerning the withholding or withdrawal of life support systems, together with the appointment of my health care agent and my attorney-in-fact for health care decisions, the designation of my conservator of the person for future incapacity and my document of anatomical gift. As my physician, you may rely on any decision made by my health care agent, attorney-in-fact for health care decisions or conservator of my person, if I am unable to make a decision for myself.

      I, ...., the author of this document, request that, if my condition is deemed terminal or if I am determined to be permanently unconscious, I be allowed to die and not be kept alive through life support systems. By terminal condition, I mean that I have an incurable or irreversible medical condition which, without the administration of life support systems, will, in the opinion of my attending physician, result in death within a relatively short time. By permanently unconscious I mean that I am in a permanent coma or persistent vegetative state which is an irreversible condition in which I am at no time aware of myself or the environment and show no behavioral response to the environment. The life support systems which I do not want include, but are not limited to: Artificial respiration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and artificial means of providing nutrition and hydration. I do want sufficient pain medication to maintain my physical comfort. I do not intend any direct taking of my life, but only that my dying not be unreasonably prolonged.

      I appoint .... to be my health care agent and my attorney-in-fact for health care decisions. If my attending physician determines that I am unable to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of health care decisions and unable to reach and communicate an informed decision regarding treatment, my health care agent and attorney-in-fact for health care decisions is authorized to:

      (1) Convey to my physician my wishes concerning the withholding or removal of life support systems;

      (2) Take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that any wishes are given effect;

      (3) Consent, refuse or withdraw consent to any medical treatment as long as such action is consistent with my wishes concerning the withholding or removal of life support systems; and

      (4) Consent to any medical treatment designed solely for the purpose of maintaining physical comfort.

      If .... is unwilling or unable to serve as my health care agent and my attorney-in-fact for health care decisions, I appoint .... to be my alternative health care agent and my attorney-in-fact for health care decisions.

      If a conservator of my person should need to be appointed, I designate .... be appointed my conservator. If .... is unwilling or unable to serve as my conservator, I designate ..... No bond shall be required of either of them in any jurisdiction.

      I hereby make this anatomical gift, if medically acceptable, to take effect upon my death.

      I give: (check one)

          .... (1) any needed organs or parts

          .... (2) only the following organs or parts ....

to be donated for: (check one)

          (1) .... any of the purposes stated in subsection (a) of section 19a-279f of the general statutes

          (2) .... these limited purposes ....

      These requests, appointments, and designations are made after careful reflection, while I am of sound mind. Any party receiving a duly executed copy or facsimile of this document may rely upon it unless such party has received actual notice of my revocation of it.

Date ...., 20..

.... L.S.

      This document was signed in our presence by .... the author of this document, who appeared to be eighteen years of age or older, of sound mind and able to understand the nature and consequences of health care decisions at the time this document was signed. The author appeared to be under no improper influence. We have subscribed this document in the author's presence and at the author's request and in the presence of each other.

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(Witness)	(Witness)
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(Number and Street)	(Number and Street)
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(City, State and Zip Code)	(City, State and Zip Code)