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An Advance Health Care Directive Helps You Plan Ahead

Decisions regarding medical care often involve several factors, some of which can be personal. But what happens if you’re unable to make those decisions for yourself? How can you be sure your preferences for care will be honored? Having an advance health care directive helps you plan ahead and ensure your wishes are respected in the event of the unexpected.

What is an Advance Health Care Directive?

Documenting your wishes for medical care and health-related decisions is an important step in advance care planning. If you are unable to express your wishes for care due to illness, injury, or other issues, advance directives can provide that information.

Advance health care directives are legal documents that outline instructions for your family members and medical providers based on your values and preferences. These documents only take effect if you are unable to communicate the information for yourself.

A living will and a durable power of attorney for health care are the two most common advance health care directives. And each serves a slightly different but equally important purpose.

• A living will provides instructions to medical personnel regarding emergency treatment if you are unable to make those decisions on your own. It outlines the care and treatments you want and don’t want as well as conditions for each of those choices.

• A durable power of attorney for health care identifies someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to. You can choose anyone as your representative. He or she need not be a relative, though they should be aware of your values and wishes to ensure they’re carried out the way you would like.

You’ll want to review these documents regularly and revise them as needed. It’s particularly important to make any updates after a major life event, such as changes in your health, marriage or divorce, retirement, or moving out of state (as some statutes or forms may be state specific).

Benefits of Having an Advance Health Care Directive

Being prepared for just about anything usually provides a sense of comfort. And advance care planning is no different. In fact, it may even give you more peace of mind knowing that your desires have been documented.

That’s just one of the many benefits of having an advance health care directive in place. Others include:

• Honoring your wishes, with clear direction for family, friends, and medical professionals regarding your values, beliefs, and preferences for care
• Easing the burden for loved ones, so that they won’t have to make potentially difficult decisions about your care
• Living life to its fullest, knowing that you don’t have to worry about unwanted healthcare treatments or procedures
• Comfort for family in knowing your wishes will be carried out as you desire

Because anything can happen at any time, advance care planning is something to be considered by those of any age and health status. That way, you can be sure the care you receive—or don’t receive—is what you want. Without an advance health care directive, decisions for your care and treatment are often determined by state and local laws.

Get Started with Advance Care Planning

You may have already started thinking about what would happen if you or a loved one were sick or injured and unable to express your desire for care. No matter your age or physical health, now is the best time to get started with advance care planning. Here are some steps you can take to be proactive regarding your care.

• Talk to your doctor or medical provider about current health status and potential issues. Ask questions about advance care planning for yourself or a loved one and inquire about some of the decisions you may have to make.
• Think about the care you would or wouldn’t want if you were hurt, injured, or sick. What does the plan for your end-of-life journey look like?
• Share your wishes for things like resuscitation, life support, and organ donation with family and friends. Document those decisions in writing or by completing advance health care directive forms.
• Select someone you trust to make emergency medical decisions on your behalf, should you be unable to. Be sure this person knows your values and wishes so that he or she will carry them out the way you prefer.

These are big decisions and may require a lot of analysis and thought. That’s why it’s beneficial to get started on them now. And because your choices may be fluid, it’s also good to continue discussing options for care with family and friends, in case something changes. If that happens, or in the case of a major life event, make sure to update your documents so that they reflect your most current care and treatment requests.

Plan Ahead with Triniti

We hope you understand some of the ways in which an advance health care directive helps you plan ahead. If you need assistance either getting started or filling out documents, our Triniti staff can help.

We have two certified care plan facilitators on our team, each with a strong background in social work. Megan and Natalie can answer your questions about advance care planning and processes. They can also help start conversations, connect you with resources, and help you understand and complete documentation regarding medical care and treatments.

Contact us today to get in touch with them or to learn more.