- Advance directives, including health care powers of attorney and living wills, are crucial for outlining your medical wishes and appointing a surrogate decision-maker.
- Creating these documents involves personal reflection on quality of life, end-of-life preferences, and whom you trust most to make decisions on your behalf.
- Sharing and discussing your advance directives with loved ones can prevent conflict and ensure your wishes are respected. At the same time, these legal documents are a way for you to express your autonomy and take control of how you want to live, especially if you ever become unable to communicate your needs.
- Consulting an estate planning attorney is recommended to ensure that your documents are legally sound and aligned with your personal values and beliefs.
As National Healthcare Decisions Day falls this week, it is a good time to think about creating or reviewing advance directives, including a power of attorney for health care and a living will. More than essential legal tools, these documents can help you shape the life you want to lead as you age. The planning and thought involved in making and maintaining advance directives can give you a sense of autonomy and peace as you navigate long-term care, manage chronic conditions, and coordinate your care with your loved ones.
Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
Advance directives include durable powers of attorney and living wills. A health care power of attorney allows you to appoint a surrogate decision-maker to oversee your care if you become unable to make your own decisions. Your medical power of attorney directs this person to act on your behalf and outlines the kind of actions you would like them to take.
While appointing a surrogate decision-maker is a central feature of a power of attorney, the document can also detail your wishes for medical interventions and burial or cremation. You may include details specific to your unique situation.
A living will states your preferences for medical treatment and life-sustaining interventions. Typically, living wills express a general preference for less intervention. However, a more personalized living will could convey your unique perspective on specific medical treatments. (Note that a living will is not the same thing as a last will and testament.)
The Value of Advance Directives
Creating and updating advance directives goes beyond legal and medical care planning. It offers an opportunity for personal reflection.
That reflection can involve addressing the following questions:
- What kind of life do you want to live as you age?
- Do you value quality or quantity of life?
- Whom do you want to step in and organize your care if you are unable to take care of yourself? What do you want this person to know?
- What are your thoughts on organ donation?
- Do you want to be buried or cremated?
Source: ELA