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 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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