According to the University of Washington School of Medicine, advance directives are special documents that allow you to make certain health-related choices in advance. You can spell out your preferences for treatment while you are competent. If you should become physically or mentally incapacitated in the future in a way that renders you unable to make decisions, your advance directives will be used. They ensure that your wishes are followed even if you are unable to express them later in your life.
Decisions In Advance
Advance directives have an important purpose. They spell out your wishes for certain health care decisions before such decisions are needed. Being able to make these decisions in advance is a big pro. If something happens to you, your family members won't be under pressure to figure out what you would want and make decisions on your behalf. Your wishes will be clearly spelled out.
Speaking For You
One of the biggest pros of advance directives is that they don't come into play unless you are unable to express your wishes. As long as you are competent, you can make your own decisions. If something happens that renders you unable to do so, such as physical or mental incapacity, your advance directives will be used to guide decisions about your treatment.
Flexibility For Updating
You must update your advance directives if you change your mind about any of your decisions. This can be a pro if your views change or a con because you may forget to do so. The University of Washington School of Medicine says that advance directives are legally binding. If you have one, decide something different and do not change it before you become incapacitated, your previous instructions will be followed.
Limitations On Provisions
Although you can cover most options with an advance directive, one of the cons is the limitation on what you can dictate. For example, the Cleveland Clinic says you cannot give your doctor the authority to withhold "comfort care" that relieves pain or keeps you more comfortable rather than just keeping you alive longer. If you are pregnant when you become incapacitated, life-sustaining treatment cannot be withdrawn if it would terminate the pregnancy. An attorney can discuss limitations with you and help you work around as many as possible when you prepare your advance directive.
Family May Disagree
If your family members do not agree with your advance directives, it can cause problems. Even though the documents are legally binding, your family may be able talk to your doctors and appeal to the hospital's ethics committee to override your decisions.
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