An advance directive lets treating physicians and family members know how a person prefers to be treated if he is incapable of making those wishes known. An advance directive is a legal document that follows a set of guidelines that varies from state to state.
Levels
An advance directive can direct doctors to limit treatment that is spelled out in the document or it can tell doctors to provide no treatment when certain health levels are reached.
Inform
If a patient is conscious when entering the hospital, he should inform the health care staff of the existence of the advance directive.
Use
A patient who is terminally ill often takes time to prepare an advance directive to save family members from making difficult treatment decisions. Anyone over the age of 18 can have an advance directive that covers her treatment during an accident or traumatic event.
States
State departments of health or a department on aging usually carries forms that can be used to write an advance directive, or at least provide information about state regulations and where the forms can be obtained.
Formalities
An advance directive can be a simple statement that is written and notarized. A doctor or lawyer should review any advance directive to make sure the patient has followed state rules and has clearly stated the intent of the directive.
Changes
An advance directive can be cancelled or modified at any time by the creator of the document as long as he is still considered to be of sound mind.
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