INTEREST IN LIVING WILLS REVIVED NATIONAL ATTENTION TO ISSUE SPARKING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WISHES.

Byline: Jennifer Radcliffe Staff Writer

As the fate of Terri Schiavo plays out in federal courts this week, many residents across the San Fernando Valley are contemplating whether to spell out their dying wishes in legal documents.

It's a tough subject for the estimated 80 percent of Americans without a living will. Most people find the discussion too depressing or simply think they have more time to decide.

``It's not a pleasant subject. Why would you want to think about being in a hospital and suffering from a heart attack that leads to massive brain damage? That's not a whole lot of fun,'' said Encino-based attorney Paul Allan Lenz, who specializes in estate planning.

Lenz said Schiavo's case hasn't increased clients wanting to complete ``advanced directives'' or ``durable powers'' - documents that outline how people will be cared for and who will make their medical decisions if they become incapacitated.

But others think members of the public are getting the message that they need to put their wishes in writing.

At the Tallahassee, Fla.-based Aging with Dignity, inquiries for the nonprofit group's living will - called ``Five Wishes'' - have jumped from 100 to 2,000 a day this week. The group has distributed 1 million documents since fall 2003.

``I think the increase is very noticeable. It's unquestionable,'' said Paul Malley, president of the group. ``I think all across America this week, conversations are happening. ... The conversations should also be in writing.''

Newlyweds Tim and Joselyn Arroyo are among those starting the discussion.

``After seeing something like that, you definitely want your will to be made,'' said Joselyn, 22, a graduate student at California State University, Northridge.

But the young couple still hasn't put anything in writing.

``In my head I'm like, people should do this ... (but) it's not something you want to think about,'' she said.

Tim Arroyo already knows the importance of such plans. His late mother gave specific instructions that her family let her go, if need be, after a lengthy illness.

``I think it's important. I'm not afraid to talk about it,'' said the 25-year-old. ``I think it'll become probably more important when we have kids.''

Community-outreach advocate Mary Elaine Hernandez said it's important for families to know what their loved ones want.

``In Hispanic culture, a lot of the time you don't want to talk about the end of our road,'' she said. ``We have to break down those cultural barriers.''

Even health care workers, who witness the drama of dying every day, say completing the paperwork isn't an easy task.

``I didn't get around to it until I was 40,'' said Martha Highfield, a professor of nursing at CSUN. ``It's a lot of trouble.''

Highfield opted to give her husband durable power, rather than filling out an advanced directive. She said she thinks predicting specific situations might be too difficult.

``There's the legal issues and the moral issues, and there's really no way the legal issues can solve the moral issues,'' the Agoura Hills resident said.

Ilena Blicker, a neurologist in Glendale, said she's surprised that more people aren't dealing with the grim topic.

``What I find most disheartening is that not many people have started the discussion with their families. Nobody even knows what they want. They all suppose,'' said Blicker, chairwoman of Glendale Memorial's bioethics committee, which helps families make tough decisions when plans aren't specified.

Advocates said people have to overcome their fear. Death is inevitable and having the proper paperwork in order will simply help loved ones, they said.

Staff Writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Jennifer Radcliffe, [phone]

jennifer.radcliffe(at)dailynews.com

TIPS

--Experts advise people to complete ``durable power'' and ``advanced directive'' forms and to have them properly notarized. The forms are available on the Internet for $5 each or as part of a legal estate planning package, which usually cost about $1,000.

--Residents are also advised to tell several loved ones that they have completed the forms and where they are storing them.

--Patients are allowed to change their minds. Any verbal statement will outweigh their written requests, lawyers said.

--Families struggling with decisions can ask for advice from a hospital's ethics committee.

--For more information, visit www.finalchoices.calhealth.org/default.htm; www.agingwithdignity.org; or www.cmanet.org

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(color) Newlyweds Tim and Joselyn Arroyo of Northridge are among those starting the discussion about living wills after watching developments in the Terri Schiavo case, though they haven't yet put any last wishes in writing.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

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