Resources
Advance Health Care Directive or Medical Power of Attorney: What it can do for you
An Advance Directive (or MPOA) gives individuals the opportunity to name a “Health Care Representative” to make health care decisions if an individual is incapable of making or communicating his or her own decisions. It also provides binding health care instructions both to the Health Care Representative and to medical personnel regarding the kind of health care an individual may wish. The Houston Visiting Christian Science Nurse Service, Inc. strongly encourages all Christian Scientists desiring to limit or decline medical care to complete an Advance Directive (MPOA) as a protection to themselves and to family members who might otherwise be called on upon to make uninformed decisions.
Addendum A (An example of language a Christian Scientist might use to request only Christian Science care and declining all medical care.)
Advance Healthcare Directive Cards
Every Christian Scientist is entitled to have proof of their declared and protected status as a Christian Scientist. This proof is now available in the form of an Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) card. The AHD card is a loving provision that informs and guides non-Christian Scientists about your wishes regarding healthcare. It is your legal voice to instruct family, medical providers, and/or first responders of your rights and your expressed desire to rely upon Christian Science for healing. In addition to giving your personal information, the card may also designate your choice of a Christian Science practitioner to be immediately contacted if necessary