What Exactly Is an Advance Directive?

A Living Will is one type of advance directive. Any set of legal instructions that clarify the type of medical care you would prefer, in the event of a situation in which you cannot make decisions for yourself is by definition an advance directive. If you are medically incapacitated in any way—in a coma, unable to communicate, with a terminal illness, or with advanced dementia—these legal instructions will let medical professionals know what you would prefer them to do as well as not do.

All adults should have advance directives in place, not just older adults. An automobile accident or another other traumatic event can happen at any time. Medical personnels need to do what you prefer in terms of limits of care, if you cannot tell them yourself.

Are Advance Directives Easy to Complete?

An advance directive is quick and easy to complete, and this preparatory step can ensure that you receive the type of consideration you prefer. This directive also relieves your loved ones from needing to make these decisions on your behalf, without your input.

You should name a medical power of attorney during this process, also known as a health care power of attorney. This legal document may also be called a health care proxy or a durable power of attorney for health care.

Additionally, you should also name a medical power of attorney. Having a person in a formalized position to advocate for you can save tremendous stress. You do not want this person to be a doctor, or on your medical care team. You want to choose a person who will make decisions in accordance with your beliefs and preferences. A medical power of attorney should be someone who can handle disagreements calmly, for other family members may object to a decision. Your state may have requirements for the power of attorney—what this person must meet in terms of age, for example—so you should consult a lawyer before making your decision.

Crafting an Advance Directive

Here are some of the decisions that you may address in your advance directive.

1. Do you want to donate your body for scientific study?
2. Do you want medical professionals to administer pain relief? And specifically, do you want to avoid opioids or specific types of pain-related medication?
3. If you are nearing the end of your life, do you want doctors to treat your infections with antibiotics, or would you rather have infections proceed without aggressive treatment?
4. What kind of palliative care would you want? This includes being fed ice chips to alleviate dry mouth, being allowed to die at home or in hospice, and other pain-related comfort care questions.
5. If your kidneys fail, do you want dialysis?
6. If your heart stops beating, do you want medics to perform CPR?
7. If your lungs stop functioning, would you want to be placed on a ventilator?
8. If you are unable to eat, would you prefer intravenous fluid injections, or to have a feeding tube put into your stomach?
9. Do you want to donate organs or tissue for other people in need before you die? (Doing so may require keeping you alive long enough to remove the organs surgically and effectively.)

Assistance With Advance Directives in Cincinnati

If you are looking for an experienced attorney to assist you with your advance directives, Living Will, or if you have any Estate Planning needs, contact Donnellon, Donnellon and Miller today.