An Advance Directive or Living Will is an important document that explains your wishes if you are so ill that you are unable to speak for yourself. You don’t have to be old, sick, or facing a life-threatening diagnosis to create an advance directive. It is best to prepare the document when you are well, clear-thinking, and without the stress of a severe illness. Here is what you should know about an advance directive:
Before you face a life-threatening situation, make your wishes known by filling out an advance directive. Advance directives are found online, or you can use a local attorney to help create the printed document. An advance directive guides physicians and health providers if you are too ill to speak for yourself. An advance directive can be withdrawn at any time.
Establish a health care proxy or a person to communicate for you when you cannot. Your health care proxy should be a person that you trust and who clearly understands your wishes. A close family member or friend may not be the best choice. A child, spouse, or significant other may find it difficult to honor your wishes of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining care.
Store your documents in a safe place. Your health care proxy should know where your documents are located. Provide access to keys or codes if the document is locked away.
Make sure that you address key issues. If you are so sick that you are unlikely to get better, would you want ventilator support or tube feeding? If you are permanently unconscious or in a coma, would you want ventilator support or tube feeding?
Ask your physician or health care provider to assist with the advance directive if there are words in the document that you don’t understand. For example, a ventilator is commonly called a breathing machine or life support.
Review your advance directive with your health care proxy and physician as often as necessary. You will need to update the advance directive as your health and life situation change.
Take a copy of your advance directive to your doctor’s office to be filed in your medical record. You should also keep an electronic copy of your advance directive in your email, dropbox, or flash drive so that you can easily access it.
Be smart! Create an advance directive and establish a health care proxy to make sure that your voice is always heard.
For more information check out my book, “Journey, A Simple Roadmap for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients and Their Families.”
Follow me on Facebook @DrKatisha and www.drkatisha.com.
