Take Charge of Your Life: Create Your Personal Advance Directive

Most people don't want to think about their death. But when they do, most agree that they want to live a long life and die peacefully and with dignity. If you became seriously ill and could not speak, how would the people around you know what you wanted for care and comfort?

They would know through your personal Advance Directive. This document directs your health care team and your loved ones to provide or withhold certain kinds of medical care, in advance of when you need the care, and on your behalf in case you cannot speak for yourself once the time comes.

An Advance Directive usually includes:

A living will to express your wishes for care

A health care power of attorney, which names the person or persons you want to make decisions for you

A health information release form, which allows your medical providers to release your information to specific people.

Remember: If you can state your wishes for medical care, those are likely to be followed. In addition, two doctors have to agree that you cannot state your own wishes before an Advance Directive or a person you've named as a health care proxy can speak on your behalf.

What Happens if I Don't Have an Advance Directive?

In the United States, an emergency medical team or ambulance personnel will almost always start treatment, such as an external defibrillator or ventilator, to postpone death. If a person does not want to have a ventilator breathing for her or him during the last days before death, the medical team must be informed of this, preferably before a ventilator or other mechanical life support is started. If you cannot communicate your preferences at the time the medical team is considering life support measures, the team will consult with your next of kin, such as a spouse, adult children, or parents.

If family members disagree about what path to take, it can be difficult for the medical team to know what to do. If you have not designated a health care proxy to make decisions on your behalf but have completed a living will, your wishes may be followed if the living will can be located and brought to your medical team. However, there are situations that can arise that were not predicted by the living will. It is ideal for you to designate a health care proxy, if possible. The medical team will listen to the health care proxy if there is written proof that you named that person to speak on your behalf.

Credit: HealthMark Multimedia