If something unexpected happened, would your family, friends, and medical team know your wishes regarding your healthcare?
It’s natural to assume we’ll always be able to make our own medical decisions. But what if a sudden illness or injury left you unable to communicate? Having this conversation with yourself and your loved ones might be difficult, but it is vital for peace of mind.
The Value of Advance Directives
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to express your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They remove the stress and burden of guessing from your family during a crisis.
The main types of directives typically include:
- Living Will Declaration: This allows you to state your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments (like mechanical ventilation or artificial nutrition) and when you would want them to be stopped or withheld. It clearly communicates the type of support you want—or don’t want—and for how long.
- Life-Prolonging Procedure Declaration: This is essentially the opposite of a Living Will. If you want every possible life-prolonging treatment to be administered, this is the document you would complete.
- Power of Attorney and Health Care Representative: This document legally authorizes a trusted person (your agent or representative) to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated.
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: This is typically for people with chronic or serious conditions who do not wish to receive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the event their heart or breathing stops. It can often be filed with local EMS services so they are aware of your wishes during an emergency call at home.
- Psychiatric Advance Directives: These are specific documents that state your preferences for medical care, including treatments you wish to receive or reject, in the event of a severe mental health crisis.
Take the Next Step
The most important part of advance care planning is not just filling out the paperwork but sharing it! Make sure you discuss your decisions with your family and give copies to your doctor and the hospital. Having these documents in place saves your family the anguish of guessing what your wishes are during an emergency.
If you need help or guidance, reach out to your attorney or trusted legal representative.
