A unique advance directive offered to patients is typically referred to as a Five Wishes document. This type of advance directive allows you to let your friends, family and healthcare professionals know your wishes when it comes to your medical needs as well as your personal, emotional and spiritual needs. In order to complete a Five Wishes plan, you are asked to answer five questions listed below.
- Which person would you like to make your health care decision should you become unable to make these decisions for yourself?
- What kind of medical treatment would you like to receive and to what extent?
- How comfortable do you want to be?
- How would you like to be treated by other people?
- What would you like your loved ones to know?
The “5 Wishes Advanced Directive” also encourages you to discuss all of your long term care wishes with your friends, family and medical professionals. This discussion will not only help you feel more comfortable with your medical decisions, but allow your family to feel at peace with your decisions and better understand what their roles will be in your end of life care. You can find more information about this specific type of advance directive at www.agingwithdignity.org.
