Thinking about future medical care if you become seriously sick or cannot speak for yourself is not easy. However, preparing these decisions in advance is an important step to make sure your wishes are followed and your loved ones do not have to make hard choices during stressful times. Advanced health care directives are legal tools that let you outline your health care wishes and choose someone to speak for you if you cannot. This article will give a detailed overview of these important tools, including documents like living wills, health care powers of attorney, and others.
Types of Advanced Health Care Directives Explained
There are several different documents that can help you plan your health care in advance. Here is a breakdown of the most common types:
| Document Type | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Living Will | A document listing the medical care you want if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious. | To make sure your medical treatment preferences are known and respected. |
| Health Care Power of Attorney | Allows you to name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot. | To ensure someone you trust can make health care decisions for you. |
| Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order | A request not to have CPR if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. | To avoid aggressive life-extending procedures if you wish so. |
| Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) | Turns your wishes about life-sustaining treatments into medical orders. | For seriously ill patients to have their treatment preferences followed as medical orders. |
In addition to understanding advanced health care directives, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of estate planning. For more detailed insights, consider this guide on the role of executors to ensure your wishes are honored in full.
Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Your Advanced Health Care Directives
Creating your health care directives might seem complex, but following these steps can make the process clearer:
- Reflect on Your Wishes: Consider your values, beliefs, and what quality of life means to you. Think about what kinds of medical treatment you would or would not want in different situations.
- Discuss With Loved Ones: Talk to your family, friends, and anyone who might be involved in your care about your wishes. This can help prepare them and make sure they understand your preferences.
- Consult Health Care Providers: Speak with your doctors or other health care providers about your choices. They can offer advice and help you understand medical procedures and outcomes.
- Legal Documentation: Once you’ve decided on your wishes, put them into the appropriate legal documents. You might need a lawyer’s help, or you can use templates provided by trusted sources.
- Share Copies: Give copies of your completed documents to your designated decision-maker, your primary health care provider, and perhaps a trusted family member or friend. Consider also storing them where they can be easily accessed in an emergency.
- Review and Update Regularly: Revisit your documents regularly and update them as your situation or wishes change.
While considering your health care directives, it’s also wise to think about financial protections for your loved ones. For those managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, exploring life insurance options can provide peace of mind and security.
Important Terms and Their Meanings
In the world of advanced health care directives, you might come across many terms. Here are explanations for some you will likely see:
- Health Care Proxy: Another name for health care power of attorney, where you designate someone to make health care decisions on your behalf.
- Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: Similar to health care POA but specifically emphasizes that the designation remains in effect even if you become incapacitated.
- Five Wishes: A particular type of advance directive that includes personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes alongside medical ones.
- Comfort Care Only Directive: A directive indicating you wish to receive only care that keeps you comfortable, without extending your life.
How to Talk About Your Wishes with Loved Ones
Discussing your future health care wishes can be tough. Here are some tips for having these conversations:
- Choose a comfortable, quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
- Be clear about your purpose for the discussion. Let them know you’re planning for the future and explain the importance of the topic.
- Speak openly about your wishes, and be ready to also listen to their thoughts and concerns.
- Provide them with documentation, like a summary of your wishes or the actual documents, if you’re comfortable.
- Reassure them that these plans are meant to ease the burden on loved ones during difficult times.
Conclusion
Preparing for future health care decisions through advance directives is a caring and responsible act. By clearly outlining your health care wishes, you can ensure that your preferences are respected, even when you cannot communicate them yourself. This planning can bring great peace of mind to you and your loved ones. Engaging in this process can also prompt important conversations about life, death, and what matters most to you.
Additional Resources
For more information or help with creating your directives, consider these resources:
- Legal aid organizations or legal clinics
- Hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care organizations
- Online resources offering templates and guides for drafting advanced directives
- State health departments for specific forms and requirements in your area
Remember, it’s never too early to start planning for your health care future. Taking steps now can ensure your voice is heard, no matter what the future holds.