health
‘It can spare people so much pain’: what is an advance directive and should you get one?
My sister and I had to make decisions that determined the course of my parents’ final hours. This important end-of-life document could have guided us
TL;DR
- An advance directive provides instructions for medical decision-making when an individual is unable to communicate.
- Key components include a healthcare proxy to designate a decision-maker and a living will to offer guidance on treatment preferences.
- Adults aged 18 or older with decision-making capacity can create an advance directive.
- Starting with core values regarding quality and quantity of life is recommended for content.
- Choosing a healthcare proxy requires careful consideration of their ability and willingness to honor your wishes.
- Advance directives can be accessed online, with state-specific forms available; legal and medical consultation is often advised.
- Regular review and updates are necessary to ensure the directive reflects evolving values and circumstances.
- Hurdles to honoring directives include the lack of a national database and state laws, such as pregnancy exclusions, that can invalidate them.