Advance Care Directives
Posted on: 2014 03 03
Why Write an Advance Directive?
When you are unable to speak for yourself due to an illness, your health care providers may be unclear as to what type of care you would like. Your family members may be uncertain or disagree about the type of medical care you should receive. Using an advance directive, you can tell your doctor what medical treatment you do not want to have. You can also state what treatment you want no matter how ill you are. Writing an advance care directive may be hard. You need to:
- Know and understand your treatment options
- Decide future treatment options you may want
- Discuss your choices with your family
Studies show that most people believe having an advance directive is a good idea; yet, most people have not created one for themselves.
Living Wills
A living will explains the care you do or do not want. In it, you can state your wishes about receiving:
- CPR (if your breathing stops or your heart stops beating)
- Feedings through a tube into a vein (IV) or into your stomach
- Extended care on a breathing machine
- Tests, medicines, or surgeries
- Blood transfusions
Each state has laws about living wills. You can find out about the law in your state from your doctor, the state law organization, and most hospitals. Other important facts include:
- A living will is not the same as a last will and testament after a person's death.
- You are not able to name someone to make health care decisions for you in a living will.
Other Types of Advance Directives
Special health care power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to name someone else (a health care agent or proxy) to make health care decisions for you when you cannot. NOTE: It does not give power to anyone to make legal or financial decisions for you. DNR (do not resuscitate) order.This tells health care providers not to do CPR if your breathing stops or your heart stops beating. Your doctor talks to you, the proxy, or family about this choice. The doctor writes the order on your medical chart. Fill out an organ donation card and carry it in your wallet. Keep a second card with your important papers. You can find out about organ donation from your doctor. You can also have this choice listed on your driver’s license. Verbal instructions. These are your choices aboutcare that you tell health care providers or family members. Verbal wishes usually replace those you made previously in writing.
What Else?
Write your living will or health care power of attorney according to your state's laws.
- Give copies to your family members, health care providers, and health care agent
- Carry a copy with you in a wallet or glove compartment of your car.
- Take a copy with you if you are in a hospital. Tell all medical staff involved in your care about the documents.
You can change your decisions at any time. Be sure to tell everyone involved -- family, proxies, and health care providers -- if a living will is changed. Copy, save, and share the new instructions with them.
Alternate Names
Living will; Power of attorney; DNR - Do not resuscitate; advance directive
References
Kapp MB. Ethical and legal issues. In: Duthie EH, Katz PR, Malone ML, eds. Practice of Geriatrics. 4th ed. Philadelphia,Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 6.
Update Date: 4/7/2012
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.