Learning about advance directives
If you were very ill—too sick to communicate your wishes—what kind of healthcare would you want?
That’s the basic question behind an advance directive, an important legal document that everyone should have, but critical for those with life-limiting illnesses. An advance directive allows you to convey your decisions about medical care and end-of-life care to family, friends and healthcare professionals. It helps avoid confusion, which can add pain to an already emotional situation for the loved ones of the ill person.
Advance directives include:
Living will. This is a written, legal document that lays out your wishes regarding medical treatments and the life-sustaining measures you want and don’t want. These include the use of dialysis and breathing machines, your desire to be resuscitated if breathing or heartbeat stops, tube feeding, and organ or tissue donation. You can express your wishes to accept or refuse medical care in this document.
Medical or healthcare power of attorney (POA). This legal document is also written and it designates a person, known as your healthcare agent or proxy, to make medical decisions for you if you’re too sick to do so yourself. This proxy should be someone you trust who knows your wishes.
Do not resuscitate (DNR) order. A DNR takes effect if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. It is a request not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). DNRs are optional in advance directives.
