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
Read more: What is Elder Law and Do You Need an Elder Care Attorney?
Related terms
- Living willA 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.
- Healthcare proxyA healthcare proxy is a person you name to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)POLST is a portable medical order for seriously ill people.
- 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.
- Advance care planningAdvance care planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future medical care.
- Medical power of attorneyA medical power of attorney is a legal document that names someone to make health care decisions for you if you cannot.
