The Expansion of DHL in Saudi Arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

The Expansion of DHL in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example This helps to secure their place in the international market if the economy in some countries significantly decreases. In addition, the increase in role within individual countries helps to ensure the global awareness of the brand. This report considers the strategy initiated by the DHL Express division of Deutsche Post DHL (henceforth DHL) to increase its investment in the Saudi Arabia network, increasing the access to DHL services for its customers, as well as customer service and delivery fleets. As part of this strategy, DHL planned to invest in the opening of 15 new service points. The Global Economy and International Business DHL is a worldwide logistics company that works with individuals, small businesses and large businesses in order to provide effective logistics solutions for whatever their clients require. The company has a number of different divisions which focus on different sections of their business. These divisions include DHL Express (Deutsche Post DHL, 2011a), which is involved in the worldwide shipping of mail and packages within a limited time frame, DHL Forwarding and Freight, which is involved in the global transportation of merchandise and goods to their destinations, this division focuses on the shipping of large items or large amounts of items, particularly for businesses (Deutsche Post DHL, 2011c). . The other divisions that the company commands are DHL Supply Chain, which provides warehouse storage facilities as well as managed transport and finally DHL Mail, which is responsible for a wide range of services including global mail, the retail outlets for the company, press services a nd marketing . Multinational organisations are confronted with the decision to either focus on regional or on global expansion. Generally speaking, if a company expands at a regional level it loses some of its ground at the global level, and vice versa. Globalization has been shown to be a strong strategy for companies, allowing them to increase their competitiveness . DHL has players in both fields, with a strong international presence as well as strong roles in a number of different regions. The expansion within Saudi Arabia is being developed as part of a wider strategy for expansion into the Middle East, with the idea that Saudi Arabia could serve as a foothold and a strategic location. Data Country Trends DHL has operated within Saudi Arabia since 1976. In 2008, DHL Express initiated a strategy to significantly increase their network within the Saudi Arabian region. In order to do this a total of $26.6 million USD was invested into the network. This strategy served two purposes ; the first was for the expansion within Saudi Arabia, to provide better service and products. The second purpose was to take advantage of the influential role that Saudi Arabia has on the economic development in the Middle East and create strong customer relations and brand recognition for future development . Population Trends Stakeholders in International Business Stakeholders in DHL include customers, employees, investors as well as a number of partner organizations. Other stakeholders include those who are involved in making policy, various environmental and social groups, as well as the general public. In the expansion into Saudi Arabia, the company must balance the needs of the different stakeholders. In order to do this, DHL works actively with different stakeholder groups to ensure that there are no problems. For example, they engage environmental groups to discuss the impact in which the company will have in their expansion and the way in which environmental impact can be reduced .

Reflection on the film 12 Angry Men Research Paper

Reflection on the film 12 Angry Men - Research Paper Example Reflection on the film 12 Angry Men The problem of prejudice and the difficulty faced by the jurors in decision making process is still an unresolved problem in the global context. In the beginning, most of the jurors were against the culprit. In the end, all the jurors came to know that their decision is based upon their personal opinions on the immigrant population. My personal opinion/reflection on the film 12 Angry Men is divided into three sections: prejudice, racial supremacy, and misuse of law. Prejudice I am of the opinion that the director made use of the protagonist (the immigrant boy, probably from Puerto Rican Island) to unmask the depth of prejudice against immigrants in America. I believe that prejudice based upon racial and cultural identity is an important problem faced by a member who belongs to an immigrant community. If we are not from an immigrant community, there exists less possibility to have deeper understanding on this problem. Within this context, the director makes use of the protagonist as a medium to express his opinion on the problem faced by immigrants. In the beginning of the film, the jury, which consists of 12 members, does not show any particular interest in the emotional trauma faced by the boy. Biskind (2001) made clear that, â€Å"In the view of the strong case against the defendant, it is not too surprising that the jury’s first straw vote comes out 11 to 1 for conviction† (p.11). ... So, in my opinion, the film portrays how prejudice affects the smooth functioning of law and order in a modern society. Racial superiority I think racial superiority is a myth based upon false opinion, not upon fact. The elite class in the society considers that their status in the society is indebted to their racial identity. But one cannot prove that racial identity determines one’s superiority over others. So, I am totally against racial superiority. One of the factors which attracted me towards this film is the director’s attempt to expose that racial superiority is a myth. In the film, the boy is the victim of racial superiority/racial supremacy. For instance, most of the members of the jury are white middle class men. Still, all the members are from different layers of the society. Most of them do not try to allow the boy to prove his innocence. On the other side, juror 8, an architect by profession, is not ready to act against the boy. Later, some of the jurors l ike Juror 5 and Juror 11 decide to change their opinion. Still, Juror 3’s wavering nature hinders the jury members to have a unanimous decision. In the film, most of the jury members are not aware of their role in decision making process because they act according to the false beliefs in the society. One can see that most of the jury members are middle aged and their personal opinions on the immigrants deeply influence their decisions. So, the film helped me to know more about the problem of prejudice based upon racial superiority. Misuse of law I consider this film as an eye-opener to those who believe that death penalty can reduce crime in the society. On the other side, law is misused to victimize innocent individuals who are not

Innocence in Catcher in the Rye Essay Example for Free

Innocence in Catcher in the Rye Essay In JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is a boy aimlessly traveling New York City after being expelled from a classy boarding school. Holden poses a great deal of trepidation when it comes to sexual relationships, especially those of Jane and Sunny. Furthermore, Holden tends to misjudge the maturity of his fellow characters. The combination of this misconception, the tension between sexual trepidation, and an adult life with adult relationships, results in confusion for him. In Holden’s life, there have only been a few people he’s cherished more than his childhood neighbor, Jane Gallagher. They were close childhood friends, and when his roommate Stradlater brings her up years later in high school, all he can talk about is the innocent fun they used to have: playing checkers, watching her dance ballet in the summer heat, and how her Doberman always came into his yard. However, he also reminisces on how her â€Å"boozehound† stepfather would always â€Å"run around the goddam house naked† (42). He suspects that her stepfather had harassed Jane, who â€Å"had [a] terrific figure, and [he] wouldn’t’ve put it past that bastard† (103). This really bothers Holden, as does when Stradlater insinuates that he made sexual advances onto Jane on their date. To Holden, sexual encounters mean an adulteration of innocence, and he hates that Stradlater or Jane’s stepfather may have corrupted Jane. Many times, Holden promises himself that he â€Å"outa go down and say hello to her† (40), or that he should â€Å"give old Jane a buzz† (195), but he never does. Subconsciously, he fears that Jane will have grown up, and calling her or seeing her will surely alter the young, innocent, checkers-playing version of Jane that he has in his mind. This is confusing for Holden because Jane has grown up, yet he still thinks of her as a little girl, not the grown woman that she is. Holden â€Å"knew that she wouldn’t let [Stradlater] get to first base with her, but it drove [him] crazy anyway† (104). This shows Holden’s potential misconception of Jane’s innocence. It is unlikely for a post-teenage young woman to be as sheltered and have as much innocence as she did when she was a little girl. However, this is something Holden cannot grasp. This dilemma is a direct result of Holden’s irrational respect for innocence, influenced by sexual confrontations in Holden’s past. When Holden agrees to have a prostitute come to his room in the hotel, he is soon greeted by Sunny at his door. Holden is immediately unimpressed with Sunny’s maturity; how she was â€Å"jiggling this one foot up and down†, she â€Å"never said thank you†, and she â€Å"had this tiny little wheeny-whiny voice† (123). He also notices that she appears very young, and said things that were really childish. This ends up making him feel â€Å"more depressed than sexy† (123), and he decides not to have sex with her after all. The depiction of this young girl making money as a prostitute seems to upset Holden, and he ultimately concludes that having sex with her would spoil her innocence. This is where Holden is again misguided. Just as it is unlikely for Jane to retain the same degree of innocence through the years, it is improbable that Sunny, being a prostitute, will have not had sex with many people in the past, therefore preserving her innocence. But all Holden can see in Sunny is the childish and immature, which results in a conflicted view of the world. The importance of innocence to Holden is something that results in nervousness towards others’ sexual identity and activity. His perspective of Jane and Sunny’s innocence is also misguided to the point where he sees innocence in them when there is none. Overall, the importance of innocence to Holden results in contention that is less than innocent.

Main Stages Involved In Capacity Management Tourism Essay

Main Stages Involved In Capacity Management Tourism Essay Capacity management in the tourism industry is measured by the available seat-miles per month. Capacity management is an important factor within hospitality operations as it tests activity for the manager and therefore gives them an indication of the maximum level of value-added over a period of time, so they can see what the operation could achieve in normal conditions. According to Armistead and Clark (1994, p6) Capacity management is the ability to balance demand from customers and the capability of the service delivery system to satisfy the demand. This places an emphasis on understanding first, the nature of demand by forecasting and second, the options for managing capacity to meet the expected demand. The process consists of forecasting and managing capacity, these are made up from smaller components which will be discussed in further details in this report. 2. Forecasting Forecasting is used to identify capacity gaps between product demand and the current capacity. It is an important process in all management decisions not just tourism management; although each situation is different you can apply the same procedures to make realistic capacity decisions within any business. Forecasting methods can be divided into qualitative and quantitative categories which are based on the availability of historical time series data. Establishing the level of demand when forecasting is of the upmost importance as failure to do so can cause over booking and overcrowding. Other eventualities from inaccuracy of forecasting can include incorrect numbers for staff and lack aircrafts which was one of the factors which effected American airlines development in 1990 (Krajewski and Ritzman, p275) . It helps to understand product life cycle as it will impact the capacity. It is also important for a manager to look at external factors such as trends as they will have an effect on the supply and demand of a product or service, these can include; Ageing population- this will affect the quantitative forecasting as our current population is living longer, so you cant use historical data to establish relationships as its continuously changing. Seasonal trends- They can depend social, economic and environmental impacts. This would be best measure by qualitative forecasting. Disposable income- Due to the recession people will have less disposable income. 2.1 Forecasting Techniques There are various different forecasting techniques that cover various timescales, the two most common techniques are: Long-term capacity management For large projects Usually planned over several years In tourism this will involve several departments Short-term capacity management Plan and order resources Usually a monthly, weekly or daily basis Tourism short term capacity management would involve the cleaning of an aircraft Long term planning requires demand forecasts for an extended period of time, the decisions made are often concerned with strategic decisions to ensure achievement of their desired objectives. Short-term capacity management focuses on relatively small time durations and specific processes; they are specifically for smaller levels of operation. Unfortunately, forecast accuracy declines as the forecasting time lengthens. Forecasts also dont allow for competitors actions however waiting line models and decision trees do. 3. Types of forecasting Forecasting methods can be divided into two broad approaches, these are; Qualitative Quantitative The majority of forecasting techniques use past or historical data in the form of time series. One single method is never used on its own as they are both usually interlinked. 3.1Qualitative Forecasting The Qualitative method generally uses the judgment of experts in the appropriate field to generate forecasts. An advantage of this is that experts can generate a forecast if there isnt any historical data available. The main challenge to qualitative data analysis is that there is no clear and accepted set of conventions for analysis corresponding to those observed with quantitative data (Robson, 1993, p.370). The most popular methods of qualitative forecasting are: Delphi technique Scenario writing Subject approach Expert opinion Life cycle analysis 3.2 Quantitative forecasting The Quantitative methods use historical data; the methods consist of analyzing historical data concerning the time series of the particular variable of interest and other time series if they interlink with the area concerned. There are two main methods used within quantitative forecasting, the first method bases the future forecast on a past trends, these are known as time series methods. The second method also uses historical data. But the forecaster examines the cause and effect relationships of the variable with other relevant variables such as; Disposable income Interest rate Unemployment rate The state of the economy e.g. the recession This type of forecasting uses past time series, forecasting techniques that are under this category are called casual methods. 4. Capacity management After deciding what products and services should be on offered, management should then plan the systems capacity. The first step in the Capacity Management process, forecasting, is the best way to judge attendance and understand product life cycle. Therefore Capacity Management itself is used to make sure the capacity, from a tourism managers point of view, meets the targets set. The capacity of an airline usually depends on the location and the available seats per miles, as well as staff, time and other resources which are used. 4.1 Measuring Capacity According to (Krajewski and Ritzman, p276) No single capacity measure is applicable to all types of situations Every manager will have to take other factors into consideration before they measure their capacity. If there is an insufficient capacity it wont be possible to meet all of the demand, therefore to much capacity is provided and this will result in resources not being used to their maximum capability. 4.2 Coping with Demand The need for accurate forecasts of tourism demand to assist managerial decision making is highly important as the tourism product is perishable and if it doesnt meet the demand they lose revenue as an aircraft still has to fly without the demand being met. There are several ways of coping with demand and these are; Keep the activities level of resources constant and ignore any fluctuations. Adjust capacity to match demand. Change the demand to fit the capacity. 4.3 Queuing Theory Queuing theory is important to an as its one of the important factors in meeting their attendees needs. Queues arise when a demand for a service has exceeded the capacity, the customer doesnt get the service straight away upon arrival so they must wait for the service to be ready. This is an important for an airport as they have a random system which customers can arrive at any time; it isnt difficult for an airport to experience queues, but it is important that they deal with them sufficiently. These queues will often build up, disappear in quieter periods and then reappear all the time as there are always flights departing and arriving. Airports offer departing guests waiting rooms and shops to deal with queues and when they arrive they must go through customs which is a slow but easy method for managing the mass amount of people. 4.4 Queue Discipline Most managers will employ a simple queuing method to ensure a positive experience for the customer. These can be; Priority system for certain customers FIFO First In First Out LIFO Last In First Out 5. Conclusion This report has looked at the three main stages involved in capacity management and the different methods available to any manager. Although forecasting isnt always accurate, there is a wide variety of techniques in the first stage which can be used for any method. It is highly important to consider past experience as well as modern trends for more of a refined forecast, failure to do so could lead into an inaccurate forecast. The capacity management stage can then deal with the demand if it is insufficient or too high, then the queuing theory may be taken into consideration. In an airport due to the nature of the business it is unpredictable to measure the amount of customers as people can come and go as they please. This means the queuing theory may or may not make the service time, however if the demand has been manipulated to help predict the expected demand then it will reduce the waiting time and overall give the customer a positive experience. All of the stages combined prepare a tourism manager for any unforeseen outcomes in a tourism service and will allow them to successfully manage any outcome.

Lord of the Flies by Golding Essays -- Papers

Lord of the Flies by Golding In "Lord of the Flies", Golding suggests that once man is freed from social conditioning and obligation, the intrinsic sense of evil will be revealed in him. He destroys the optimistic view of human nature by showing how even the most innocent of all - children can deteriorate into primitive savages once freed from the trappings of society. This view, that man is capable of gross wickedness, is central to the whole novel. It is revealed through Simon's conversation with the imaginary Lord of the Flies when he realises that the real beast is one that exists in all the boys. However, Golding also shows that if man is willing to recognise the evil potential in his nature, he will able to curb his own evil instincts. It is important to note how much the boys manage to achieve before their inner fears destroy their sense of responsibility and reason, that is, before the boys finally succumb to savagery and violence. They discover fire, they build shelters (albeit prone to collapsing!), they explore the island, they go on hunting trips, and they delegate social responsibilities. Initially, one would be inclined to think that Jack's leadership is a poor one as he relies on brute strength. However, Jack is shrewd enough to know that the boys' survival is as important as rescue. Food has to be hunted; emotional needs (which Ralph tries to deny) have to be satisfied. Also, Piggy, Ralph and Simon serve as reminders in the novel that there remains much to be admired in mankind. Each of them displays positive qualities of wisdom and goodness in their own way. For all his physical weaknesses like asthma, my... ... and remain virtuous. In some cases, like Simon, he is able to be uphold his moral values even without any pressure from society. For some others like Ralph and Piggy who represent the naÃÆ'Â ¯ve, well-meaning, simple side of man, there is a tendency to slip into the region of 'badness' though most of the time they are able to be 'good'. Although Golding seems to present a bleak view of human nature, he does give the reader some hope for the future at the end of the book. This is shown in the new knowledge that Ralph has acquired. Unlike Simon and Piggy who have died, Ralph is given the chance to live on and to hopefully, use his new-found knowledge to influence the people around him. With his increased awareness of human nature and his experiences, Ralph will be able to live on the legacy of Simon and Piggy.

Internet Advertising for Cellular Phones Essay -- essays research pape

Internet advertising is one of the most popular methods of sales today. Advertising on the net has become so popular that some people have ad blockers or better known as pop up blockers installed on their computers to prevent them. Although these ads maybe annoying they still have an imperative purpose. The ad is advertising a free Motorola phone from verizon. There is no publication date and the fact that you must sign a contract makes this ad less creditable. Cell phones are an innovative trend today. You do not have to be on the web long before an ad pops up proclaiming that you have won a new cell phone. That is right a new cell phone, in fact the razor that every one craves for. The fist thing that snags the readers attention is the fact that it pop-ed up while they were in the midd... Internet Advertising for Cellular Phones Essay -- essays research pape Internet advertising is one of the most popular methods of sales today. Advertising on the net has become so popular that some people have ad blockers or better known as pop up blockers installed on their computers to prevent them. Although these ads maybe annoying they still have an imperative purpose. The ad is advertising a free Motorola phone from verizon. There is no publication date and the fact that you must sign a contract makes this ad less creditable. Cell phones are an innovative trend today. You do not have to be on the web long before an ad pops up proclaiming that you have won a new cell phone. That is right a new cell phone, in fact the razor that every one craves for. The fist thing that snags the readers attention is the fact that it pop-ed up while they were in the midd...

Advance Directive Essay

The purpose of advance directives is so that you are making it your right to make decisions about your own medical care. This phrase applies to a wide range of instructions that one might make orally or written about actions that one would or would not want to be taken if one were somehow incapacitated and unable to join in making decisions (Corr et al, 2009). An advance directive is a topic that resonates strongly in my heart. Less than two weeks ago my husband and I had a family crisis and had to make some really difficult healthcare decisions regarding our family member. These decisions were less difficult for us because our loved one had previously given us power-of-attorney. So we knew her wishes prior to her illness and were able to make the correct decisions as a family. Unfortunately, most families don’t realize the importance of this legal document until an emergency occurs. Authors of _Death & Dying, Life & Living_ identify six goals of death education. It is the third goal that will be the focus of my paper. According to Corr et al the third goal of death education is to prepare individuals for their public roles as citizens. In this way, death education helps to clarify important social issues that face society and its representatives, such as advance directives in health care (Corr et al, 2009). We each have the right and responsibility to make healthcare decisions for ourselves. There may be a time, whether from accident or illness, when you are no longer able to make important and necessary medical  decisions. This is an opportunity for you to express your wishes and direct your healthcare decisions in advance before they may be needed. We’re living in an age of medical miracles. Tiny babies born months too early can often be saved. Hearts, lungs kidneys and lives can all e transplanted. There are life support machines and devices for almost every purpose. Ventilators to help people breath, cardiac assist devices to take over for the heart, feeding tubes to nourish patients who can’t eat, and dialysis to support people with failing kidneys. My husband and I know this all too well with the recent diagnosis of his mother. Medical advances have saved many lives. But with these advances have come questions about using machines to prolong the natural dying process. Kentucky laws recognize the right of individual’s to make choices about their medical care. We have the right to request or refuse treatment and to ask that life prolonging treatment be stopped. We also have the right to make out an advance directive. An advance directive is a legal paper which lets an individual to state their wishes about the use of life support machines and medical treatment. It can also be used to name someone else to make medical choices for them if they become unable to speak for themselves (ccky.org, 2010; Jasper 2007). According to David Kelly author of _Medical Care at the End of Life: A Catholic Perspective_ claims that treatment can be morally extraordinary only when the person’s death is imminent, regardless of whether the treatment is given, is to give biological life itself an absolute value that supersedes all other values.† (Kelly, 2006).The decision to make an advance directive is personal one and should only be made after careful consideration. My mother-in-law is currently on full life support and the hospital social worker told us that because she is at a Catholic hospital their philosophy there is that withholding or withdrawing treatment does not cause death, but merely allows the natural process of dying to take place. They further stated that they will not do anything to intentionally cause her death. This was an impromptu interview, but I was able to ask the social worker a few questions regarding advance directives. HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKER INTERVIEW: Q: What is an advance directive? A: Advance directive states in writing your choices about medical care or names someone to make medical choices for you if you become unable to speak for yourself. It is called an advance directive, because it is signed in advance to let your family and doctor know your wishes regarding medical treatment. Kentucky law recognizes many types of advances directives, including living wills, healthcare surrogate designations, and durable power of attorney for healthcare. Q: Do my mother-in-law or anyone else have to have an advance directive before treatment here at this hospital? (Keep in mind it’s a catholic hospital) A: No. You cannot be required to make any advance directives in orders to get medical treatment, and for that matter health insurance or any other reason. It s purely a matter of personal choice. Q: Can anyone in my mother-in-law’s family make healthcare choices for her if she unable to do so and we do not have an advance directive or do you all go by the oldest child? A: If she cannot speak for herself and there is not an advance directive, then according to the state of Kentucky laws its first the court appointed guardian; her spouse; her adult child and if there is more than one then it’s the majority of the adult children available at the time; her parents; and then the nearest living relative and if there is more than one then it’s the majority of them (unnamed social worker, 2010). According to the state of Kentucky adults (ages 18 or older) who are mentally competent have the right to make healthcare decisions in advance. Advance directives state your choices for medical treatment, especially in regard to  life-sustaining procedures. You can also use advance directives to name a healthcare agent, who is any person you choose, to make your healthcare decisions if you are unable to do so. Advance Directives only apply if you are unable to make personal medical decisions, unless you indicate you want your healthcare agent’s authority to begin when the document is signed. You cannot be refused medical care because you do not have advance directives (Jasper, 2007). Any time you have a healthcare need; your doctor should discuss your situation with you and obtain your consent before giving you care. Patients have the right to refuse treatment or to choose among different kinds of treatment. Patients may further leave the hospital or seek treatment and opinions from other healthcare providers. Making a responsible choice does not always mean you accept your doctor’s advice, but it does mean you understand the consequences of your choice. This right to decide to say yes or no to treatment includes consenting to, or refusing treatments needed to sustain life (Shannon, 2006). I use to believe that once you signed the back of the driver’s license then you were giving consent for hospitals to not give you the true care that you deserved. This was a myth that I always believed until I became adult. I think that it was based on those old horror movies like COMA back in the 1970s. From a recent lecture on donation I learned the real value of signing the back of the driver’s licenses and giving consent to organ donation. Organ transplants are truly a miracle of modern medicine. Thousands of organ transplants occur in the United States each year, yet thousands of people also die each year while waiting for an organ. The generous gift of one’s organs or tissues can allow other seriously ill individuals to live. During this lecture I learned that anyone could become an organ donor and age did not mean that you can’t necessary donate. Most importantly was that signing a donor card was not going to affect my care that I received from the hospital. Patients are given the same quality care, whether or not a donor card was signed and that donation proceedings only begin after all efforts to save my life had been done and my death had been declared. Now I feel  confident that signing my driver’s license will not enhance my death. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO), along with other national, state and community organizations, is leading an effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16th as the inaugural National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) (http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org, 2010). Despite the fact that the importance and benefits of advance directives have been proven repeatedly for many years, only a small minority of Americans have executed an advance directive, according to information on the National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) website. NHDD seeks to address this issue by focusing attention on advance healthcare planning from a variety of directions simultaneously across the United States. Any number of professionals such as healthcare providers, chaplains, attorneys, and long-term care ombudsmen can provide clear, concise, and consistent information and tools for executing written advance directives about healthcare power of attorney and/or living will in accordance with state laws (http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org, 2010). In closing, most people can’t read your mind when you’re healthy, let alone try to figure out your wishes during a major health crisis while under additional stress. Be kind to your loved ones; make those decisions in advance; and have them legally documented. NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISION DAY PRESS RELEASE DO YOU HAVE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE? Do you know what healthcare treatments you would and would not want if you could not speak for yourself? Do other people know what your wishes are? The 2nd Annual National Healthcare Decision Day will be held on Friday, April  16, 2010, a day for all people regardless of age or current health to be reminded of the importance of making their healthcare wishes known to loved ones and their care providers. Everyone is encouraged to voice their wishes and take steps to ensure that their choices are known and protected. An Advance Directive is a legal document that tells healthcare providers who it is that you wish to make medical decisions for you and what treatments you would want or not want, if you are ever not able to tell care providers what you would want in a medical emergency or life-limiting illness. The simple act of creating an Advance Directive can turn out to be an incredible gift for loved ones in the event of an accident or severe illness. Advance Directives are written instructions about your future medical care. They do not go into effect until you are no longer able to make decisions. Adults can benefit from thinking about what their healthcare choices would be if they were unable to speak for themselves. ADVANCE DIRECTIVES COME IN TWO MAIN FORMS: A _†HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY†_ (or â€Å"proxy† or â€Å"agent† or â€Å"surrogate†) documents the person you select to be your voice for your healthcare decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. Your â€Å"healthcare power of attorney† will make medical decisions based on your wishes identified in your Advance Directive. In states that recognize these documents, families and healthcare providers cannot override your living will or your agent’s decision. It is a good idea to discuss your wishes with your friends, family members, and your doctor, now, while you still can. YOUR HEALTHCARE AGENT HAS TO MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: †¢ Anyone over the age of 18 †¢ Can be a family member, loved one, or close friend †¢ Someone who: you trust, knows you well, will advocate on your behalf, and will honor  your wishes A _†LIVING WILL†_ documents what kinds of medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life. A living will is a type of advance directive called a healthcare treatment directive. A living will spells out the measures you do and do not wish to have taken to extend your life when you are clearly dying. You may decide whether or not you would want breathing machines, feeding tubes, oxygen, IV fluids, or medicines to be used. A living will needs to be signed in front of a witness. A witness cannot be a relative, creditors and heirs to your estate, or your doctor. It is important that a living will cover decisions about your healthcare only when you have a terminal illness. It is better to prepare a living will when you are healthy, not when you have been ill or in the hospital. Make sure your Advance Directive reflects your wishes. If you plan on moving to another state make sure you update your Advance Directive, because it may not be valid in the state that you move to. Some states do not recognize living wills that have been drafted in other states. Your Advance Directive does not expire and can be updated as needed. It is important for your family members to know your wishes in case of an emergency. Also, you should take a copy of your Advance Directive to the hospital whenever you are admitted so that it can become a permanent part of your medical record. REFERENCE LIST Catholic Conference of Kentucky. (2010). Catholic conference of Kentucky. Retrieved from http://ccky.org/ Corr, C. A., Nabe, C.M., & Corr, D. M. (2009). Death and Dying: Life and Living (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning Jasper, M. C. (2007). Health care directives. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications Kelly, D. F. (2006). Medical care at the end of life: A Catholic perspective. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press National Healthcare Decision Day. (2010). Fact Sheet retrieved November 29, 2010 from http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org/ Shannon, J. B. (2006). Death and dying sourcebook: Basic consumer health information about end-of-life care and related perspectives and ethical issues, including end-of-life symptoms and treatments, pain management, quality-of-life concerns, the use of life support, patients’ rights and privacy issues, advance directives, physician-assisted suicide, caregiving, organ and tissue donation, autopsies, funeral arrangements, and grief ; along with statistical data, information about the leading causes of death, a glossary, and directories of support groups and other resources. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics.