What is an Advanced Healthcare Directive?
Advanced Healthcare Directive
An advanced healthcare directive, also known as a living will or advance directive, is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical care in the event that you are unable to make decisions for yourself due to illness or incapacity. It ensures that your healthcare wishes are known and respected by family members, healthcare providers and legal representatives.
There are two main components of an advanced healthcare directive:
Living Will
This part specifies the types of medical treatment a person does or does not want to receive in certain situations. For example, it can include instructions about resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, dialysis and other life-sustaining treatments. It provides guidance to healthcare providers about your preferences in scenarios where you are unable to communicate their decisions.
Healthcare Power of Attorney (Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare)
This section designates a trusted individual (often referred to as a healthcare proxy, agent or surrogate) to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. This agent has the authority to speak with doctors, review medical records and make decisions in line with your values and wishes.
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