What is an Advance Health Care Directive?

Most have heard of a Living Will and some are familiar with a Health Care Power of Attorney. Now, many are becoming familiar with this new term…Advance Health Care Directive. An Advance Health Care Directive (if applicable in your state) is a hybrid of the Living Will and the Health Care Power of Attorney. It in turn has created a more efficient method of planning for your health care.

An Advance Health Care Directive informs your physician, family and friends of your health care preferences. It addresses issues such as the types of special treatment you want or don’t want at the end of life, your desire for diagnostic testing, surgical procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and organ donation.

This document allows you to consider your options before they are critical issues which would require your family to guess your wishes or have to make critical medical care decisions while under the extreme stress of a medical emergency.

Here is a checklist that will guide you in creating an Advance Health Care Directive:

• Speak to your physician: This is a great place to start in order to understand your health care options.
• Speak to other key people: Family, friends and clergy representing your religious views may have important considerations that you may want to consider.
• Designate person to carry out your wishes: You could name a spouse, relative or other agent.
• Prepare an Advance Health Care Directive: An attorney is typically involved in creating an Advance Health Care Directive and this document is typically included in a complete Estate Plan.
• Inform impacted people of your decisions: Inform designated agents, your physician, health care providers, your healthcare institution, family members and anyone who is likely to be called if there is a medical emergency.

With these considerations in mind you will be well prepared to make the necessary decisions for creating an Advance Health Care Directive. However, as always, you should consult with a physician and an attorney since this will be a legally binding document that will certainly impact your life and legal options.