Advanced Care Directives

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Recommendations

• In the event you choose to write up a living will or special medical power of attorney, make sure you obtain information regarding specific state(s) laws that may apply and write the document(s) to be consistent with the law(s).
• If you have a living will or special medical power of attorney, provide copies for your family members, health care provider(s), and carry a copy with you (in a wallet, glove compartment of car, or similar location). If you have a planned admission to a hospital, take copies for the hospital to include in your medical chart and inform all medical personnel involved with your case of the existence of such documents.
• Consider the possibilities of the future, and plan ahead. Studies have shown that although the majority of people believe having some form of advance directives is a good idea, only 7% to 8% of the population has actually developed any type of advance directives for themselves. Many people state that they want their families to make health care decisions; however, less than half of these people have ever discussed the issue and their specific desires with family members. Remember, these decisions can be changed at any time. If a living will is changed, however, everyone involved including family or proxies and all healthcare providers must be informed and new copies of instructions made and distributed.