A health care advance directive is a
legal document in which you give
instructions about your health care if,
in the future, you
cannot make
decisions for
yourself. You can
also give someone
you name
the power to
make health care
decisions for you.
Two components
make up an
advance directive: the living will and
the health care power of attorney. In
a living will, you state your wishes
about life-sustaining medical treatments
if you become terminally ill.
With a power of attorney, you
appoint an agent to make decisions
about your health care if you are not
able to do so yourself.
What Is the Value of an
Advance Directive?
Unless you state your wishes in a living
will and appoint someone power
of attorney, health care providers and
institutions may end up making decisions
about your health care. An
advance directive can also help
relieve stress your loved ones may
feel if they have to make decisions
about your care without knowing
your wishes.
How Do I Make an Advance
Directive?
There are standard forms and signing
procedures for making an advance
directive. Anyone can write to the Legal Counsel for the Elderly to
receive these forms.
The address is Legal Counsel
for the Elderly (LCE), P.O. Box
96474, Washington, DC 20090-6474. It costs $5 for state-specific
guidebooks about advance directives.
You can also call your attorney
for help.
Give a copy of your advance
directive to your health care
agent, primary care physician
and loved ones you feel should
be aware of your wishes.
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