There may be times in your life when you cannot make your own health care choices. An advance health care directive helps you plan for your care in these situations.
There are two main types of advance health care directives:
Living Will: in this document, you write specific wishes about life support and other medical treatments. Instructions in your living will take effect only when you cannot understand and communicate your treatment choices and you either have an end-stage medical condition (an advanced illness or medical condition that cannot be cured and will result in your death) or are permanently unconscious (you are totally unconscious and this cannot be reversed or made better).
Health Care Power of Attorney: in this document, you name a person who you trust to make health care choices for you. This person is your health care agent. You control what choices your agent may make and when your agent may make those choices.
You generally may name any adult (18 years or older) as your health care agent. Consider choosing someone who:
Knows you well and can be trusted to honor your choices; Is able to make difficult choices under stressful circumstances; Is able to stand up for you to make sure that your choices are honored as much as possible; AND Is likely to be available, able and willing to make health care decisions for you.
It is always a good idea to name one or more alternate health care agents. There may be times when your first choice is unavailable (e.g., vacation), unable (e.g., sick) or unwilling to serve.
In my next post, I'll discuss what to think about when making a living will and where to keep your living will.
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