If you become seriously ill or injured and cannot speak for yourself, an advance directive conveys your wishes regarding your health care. For example, you may not want to be placed on a ventilator, but you may wish to continue to receive pain medication, hydration and nutrition. While it is important to discuss your desires with your family and doctor, having an advance directive can make things easier for everyone in a difficult time, and ensure that your wishes are respected.
Specifics
No two people look at the specifics of health care in a terminal state the same way. Preparing and executing an advance directive ensures that you can specify exactly what procedures and treatments you do or do not want.
Enforceability
If you have a properly executed advance directive, your wishes will be easier to enforce. This is especially important if there are family members who might wish to have matters regarding your health handled in different manners.
Preparedness
While you may think preparing for the end of life is only of concern to older people, you can be involved in a serious accident or acquire a serious disease at any time. Executing an advanced directive is a responsible step to take for any adult.
Protection
If you are in a domestic partnership, civil union or same-sex relationship, your partner may have no standing to make decisions for you in the state where you live. To protect your partner's right to make decisions, you may need advance directions, a durable power of attorney and/or a living will. Your attorney or doctor can tell you what is required in your state.
Proper Documentation
Depending on the laws of your state, an advance directive may not be the only document you need. Your attorney or doctor can tell you what is required in your state. An advance directive is a legal document;it must be properly written and executed to be effective. Most medical facilities have fill-in-the-blank documents that are appropriate for their state.
Full Efforts
Although it is unfounded, one negative associated with advance directives is the belief that medical personnel will not give their full and best efforts in caring for a patient with advanced directives. Medical personnel treat every patient to the best of their abilities.
Availability
For your advance directive to be effective, a copy must be readily available when needed. You may wish to keep several certified copies on hand where they are readily accessible in the event of an emergency.
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