Hospital visitation

[chasewrite]

Is there some advance directive I can do now which would guarantee that, if I am ever in a coma or unconscious, someone who is not a direct family member would have the same rights of visitation and access to me as a family member?

 

[presutin]

Seek the advice of an estate attorney to write a living will specifically stating that in the event of a medical emergency you would like to have specific people have access to you at that time to provide you with care and companionship.

 

[irish223]

I don't know of anything like that, although someone else may.

The only thing that comes to mind is a medical power of attorney. If the person to whom you're referring is a life partner or someone you trust completely, you could draft a medical power of attorney for the situation you describe. A medical POA authorizes the person to make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated, and would surely include access to you.