This Directive entails a legal document that lets people decide their wishes for medical care in advance. People must make this decision before it becomes necessary. This is because the consequences of not doing so can be fatal and could lead to family members making life-threatening decisions on someone’s behalf.
The Advance Directive allows people to outline the medical wishes themselves or name someone they trust to decide their care.
Types of Advance Directives
Advance Directives are of two types. These are the Living Will and the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.
The Living Will is a directive where people make medical care wishes themselves without third parties. This includes whether they want to be kept on life support or have specific treatments or surgeries.
On the other hand, the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is a document that gives individuals the authority to name who will make their crucial medical decisions. This person should be someone who knows your wishes and who you believe would carry them out. Persons who don’t want to name a specific person can appoint an organization to act on their behalf.
Drafting an Advance Directive
The initial process entails getting application forms for the specific state. Alternatively, applicants can opt for the universal form approved in most states. These forms are available at most hospitals, law offices, or online, especially for universal.
Several things go into making an Advance Directive, and it’s essential to include as much detail as possible. For instance, individuals must name their Health Care Agent and identify the medical treatments they would or would not want. Additionally, they must include contact information so that people who need access will know where to find this critical document. This information is crucial, especially for hospitals or assisted living facilities.
The last thing is a statement confirming the wishes regarding end-of-life care options like resuscitation, intubation, defibrillation, and CPR.
The Advance Directive will be most effective if tailored to specific needs and situations. People should feel free to make changes or updates as needed. These changes can be made by filling out new forms and notifying the health care agent and family members.
Who Should Have an Advance Directive?
Almost everyone should have an Advance Directive. However, it’s vital for older people or people with serious illnesses.