Advance directives are important aspects of planning for your future. They prevent your loved ones from being responsible for making the toughest of decisions once you are unable to make decisions yourself. The advance directives include a healthcare power of attorney and a living will.
A healthcare power of attorney makes a specific person in charge of your medical decisions, and goes into effect at any point in your life that you become unconscious or mentally incapable of making decisions. Even young people should have a healthcare power of attorney, in case of accident or injury.
A living will informs the medical professionals involved in your care of your wishes to be kept alive by artificial means or not, should you have a terminal condition or were in a permanent unconscious state. By checking a box on your living will, you can decide to have all nutrition and hydration withheld should you have slim or no chance of recovery.
The unfortunate truth is that nearly all families with elders diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will be faced with these hard end of life decisions. Establishing your preferences while you are still able is the kindest thing you can do for your loved ones. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a disorder or disease that will leave someone vulnerable, please seek the guidance of an experienced elder law attorney before it is too late.
