---
title: "What Is Advance directive? Home Care Glossary | HomeCare.com"
description: "An advance directive is a legal document that states your health care wishes in case you cannot decide for yourself. The two most common kinds are a living..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/advance-directive/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Legal and planning

# Advance directive

An advance directive is a legal document that states your health care wishes in case you cannot decide for yourself. The two most common kinds are a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. You can change or cancel it while you have capacity.

## Why it matters for your family

An advance directive speaks for a person when they cannot. Without one, family members may disagree under stress, and doctors may follow default rules. The National Institute on Aging suggests reviewing these documents at least once a year and after major life events, such as a move or a change in health. A common mistake is signing the form and leaving it in a drawer. Give copies to your health care proxy, your doctor and the hospital. Home caregivers should know where the document is kept. An advance directive is not the same as a medical order such as POLST. State forms differ. This is general information, not legal advice.

Source: [nia.nih.gov](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning/advance-care-planning-advance-directives-health-care)

[Read more: What is Elder Law and Do You Need an Elder Care Attorney?](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/paying-for-care/elder-law-attorney/)

## Related terms

-   [**Living will**A living will is a legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/living-will/)
-   [**Healthcare proxy**A healthcare proxy is a person you name to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/healthcare-proxy/)
-   [**Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)**POLST is a portable medical order for seriously ill people.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/physician-orders-for-life-sustaining-treatment/)
-   [**Do not resuscitate order (DNR)**A do not resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical order that tells health care professionals not to perform CPR if a person's heart or breathing stops.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/do-not-resuscitate-order/)
-   [**Advance care planning**Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future medical care.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/advance-care-planning/)
-   [**Medical power of attorney**A medical power of attorney is a legal document that names someone to make health care decisions for you if you cannot.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medical-power-of-attorney/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

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