“Mind is the grand creator, and there can be no power except that which is derived from Mind.” (S&H 143:26)
Inferior and unspiritual methods of healing may try to make Mind and drugs coalesce, but the two will not mingle scientifically. Why should we wish to make them do so, since no good can come of it?” (S&H 143:31-‐1)
“Christian Science destroys material beliefs through the understanding of Spirit, and the thoroughness of this work determines health.” (S&H 186:5)
We all have a legal right to “protest” (to make a solemn declaration), as to our health care in the event that we are unable to make these decisions at a later time. Each state has laws to allow advance directives to be drafted to protect our individual desires.
When you enter a Christian Science Care facility, you are asked to prepare and/or present your advance directive. This document is a protection for you and for the facility in the event your Christian Science care givers need to respond on your behalf.
What are advance directives?
Advanced directives are documents that state your choices about medical treatment or name someone to make decisions about your medical treatment.
An advance directive is a written statement of a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment, often including a living will, made to ensure those wishes are carried out should the person be unable to communicate them to a doctor.
Further Definitions of advance directives
- A legal document (as a living will) signed by a competent person to provide guidance for medical and health-‐care decisions (as the termination of life support or organ donation) in the event the person becomes incompetent to make such decisions
- A document expressing a person’s wishes about critical care when he or she is unable to decide for him or herself. However, it does not authorize anyone to act on a person’s behalf or make decisions the way a power of attorney would.
Advance directive explained
With an advance directive, individuals have the power to make future decisions about their own critical care without outside influence. A person who wishes or does not wish to be placed upon life support can create an advance directive that will be followed by hospital staff should the person become incapacitated.
Laws concerning advance directives vary from state to state. You can acquire pamphlet giving information specifically for your state from:
Professional Media ResourcesP.O.Box 460380
St. Louis, MO 63146-‐7380
(Phone: (800) 753-‐4251)
You can also find examples of advance directive forms on the internet. Here are definitions of related documents you may wish to look into.
Living Will.
A living will specifies your medical wishes, including declining life support, if you are unable to make such decisions.
Will
A will denotes the distribution of assets, chooses guardians for your minor children and names an Executor. Without a will, the state may step in and influence distribution of assets.
Durable Power of Attorney.
A durable power of attorney authorizes your designee to make certain legal and financial decisions for you and to pay your bills.
Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney authorizes your designee to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make such decisions.
Asset List / Memorandum to Next of Kin
Asset list / memorandum to next of kin itemizes and discloses your life and other insurance policies, property/land, vehicles, jewelry, artwork, electronics, checking, savings, investment, retirement accounts, loans you have made that are in repayment, etc. It includes a description of each and the value by purchase cost, insured value, appraised value, current value, cash value.