Advance Directives
Advance directives are written instructions letting others know the type of care you want if you are seriously ill or dying. There are two main kinds:
* Living will— A living will is an official record of your end-of-life wishes for medical treatment in case you are no longer able to speak for yourself. Living wills typically refer only to life-prolonging treatment when you are in a life-threatening situation.
* Health care proxy— A health care proxy is also called a“ durable power of attorney for health care.” Sometimes, this person may be referred to as a representative, surrogate, agent, or attorney-in-fact. A health care proxy is named to make care decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. This type of advance directive is also important if you want your health care proxy to be someone other than a legal member of your family.
Make sure your doctor and your family understand your advance directives and your views about end-of-life care. That will help them make the decisions you would want. Sometimes, people change their minds as they get older or after they become ill. Review the choices in your advance care directives regularly and make changes as needed.
Advance care directives are legally valid everywhere in the United States, but laws concerning them vary from state to state. Forms approved for the state where you live are available from many different health care organizations and institutions. Make sure the form you choose is legal in your home state and in any other state that you may live in for part of the year.
Discussing advance care planning decisions with your doctor is free through Medicare during your annual wellness visit. Private health insurance may also cover these discussions.
Give copies of your advance directive to your health care proxy and alternate proxy. Give your doctor a copy of the advanced directive for your medical records. Tell close family members and friends where you keep a copy. If you have to go to the hospital, give staff there a copy to include in your records.
NIA offers free resources with more information about advance directives and end-of-life considerations. Visit www. nia. nih. gov / health / advance-care-planninghealth-care-directives to learn more.
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