Advance Directive Remove Value Choice For Free

Fact: Most of us have some ambivalence about what we would want because treatment near the end of life can be complicated. Advance health care directives can always be changed if/when your wishes or circumstances change.

A medical or health care power of attorney is a type of advance directive in which you name a person to make decisions for you when you are unable to do so. In some states this directive may also be called a durable power of attorney for health care or a health care proxy.

Advance medical directive becomes effective only when a patient is no longer able to make their own decisions due to mental incapacity. This could be temporary or permanent. If temporary, the patient resumes decision making responsibilities once the temporary condition resolves.

What to include in your advance directive: The name and contact information of your healthcare agent or proxy. Answers to specific questions about your preferences for care if you become unable to speak for yourself. The forms and questions asked vary a bit from state to state.

Advance directives are legally recognized documents and doctors must respect your known wishes, but doctors can always refuse to comply with your wishes if they have an objection of conscience or consider your wishes medically inappropriate.

Advance directives generally fall into three categories: living will, power of attorney and health care proxy.

Advance directives are legally recognized documents and doctors must respect your known wishes, but doctors can always refuse to comply with your wishes if they have an objection of conscience or consider your wishes medically inappropriate.