Topic Overview

What is an advance directive?
An advance directive is a legal document that helps ensure that your health care wishes will be respected if you become unable to speak or otherwise communicate. In the absence of a written document, sometimes an advance directive may be an oral communication, where you express your wishes for care verbally to your family members or health care agent. An advance directive may become important if you are severely injured or develop a serious illness that prevents you from actively participating in decisions about your medical care.

What are the different types?
Living wills and medical powers of attorney are types of advance directives.

A living will, also called a treatment directive, documents personal wishes about end-of-life medical treatment in case decision-making or communication abilities are lost.

A medical power of attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone (usually called a health care agent or health care proxy) to make medical treatment decisions for you not only at the end of life but any time you are unable to speak for yourself.

How do I write an advance directive?
There are four important steps in preparing an advance directive:

Get the appropriate living will and medical power of attorney forms for your state.

Choose someone to be your health care agent.

Complete the forms and have them notarized or witnessed as your state requires.

Ensure that your doctor, your family, and your health care agent have copies.

What if I change my mind about anything in my advance directive?

You can change or revoke your advance directive at any time by completing new forms, destroy your existing forms, or simply telling your caregivers. If you change or create new forms, remember to inform everyone. Do not just cross out or add new information unless it is simply a change of address or phone number.