Advance directives

An advanced directive is a legal document that outlines the kind of care you want to be given if you become unable to make decisions because of a serious illness or injury where you can’t speak for yourself. 

Having an advance directive in place can have a number of benefits: 

1. They guarantee that your health values and preferences are followed if you can’t speak for yourself. 

2. They help ensure your family knows your wishes if you’re ever in a critical health situation.

3. They give healthcare teams specific instructions so that your choices are clearly followed.

There are two main types of advance directives:

• A healthcare power of attorney is a written document where you name a person to make treatment decisions for you when you can't speak for yourself. This person is called an agent or healthcare proxy.
• A living will is a written document that tells your family and your doctor what kinds of treatment you want to receive as you near the end of your life and if you can no longer speak for yourself.

As long as you can still make your own decisions, your advance directive won't be used. You can stop or say "no" to treatment at any time.

As you prepare your advance directive, you'll need to follow these four important steps:

1. Get the living will and medical power of attorney forms for your state. Forms are different in each state, so be sure to get the right ones for where you live. Choose your healthcare agent. This should be a person you trust to make decisions for you.

2. Fill out the forms and have them witnessed as your state requires.

3. Give copies to your family, your doctor, and your healthcare agent.

When you write your advance directive, think about the kinds of treatments that you do or don't want to receive if you get seriously hurt or ill.