Most health care professionals will agree that having an advance directive, or living will, is the most important document you will put together in your lifetime. This document helps your loved ones to understand your wishes when it comes to your end of life care, especially when you are no longer able to communicate your wishes to them.
Advance directive means that to a certain degree you are allowed to lay out your own health care limits and know that they will be enforced by medical personnel. Common uses for an advance directive are to express the desire to withhold life support or to withdraw life support after a stipulated amount of time. You can also express within your advance directive your desire for a power of attorney for your medical care.
It is important to note that these documents are considered good faith documents. When properly set up, these documents are usually protected from prosecution and civil suits. You should always discuss your wishes for end of life care with your family, friends and healthcare professionals in order to prevent them from straying from your wishes.
Elder law attorneys can help you draw up advance directive documentation. They can walk you through all the necessary information to be included in the directive. Additionally, hospitals can also give you the forms and notaries upon admission.
