An Advanced Directive is a document that that defines your decisions and wishes about your end of life. This document allows you to clearly communicate your wishes to your family, loved ones, friends, and health care providers.
Advanced directives consist of two parts: the first is a Living Will, the second is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. It is important to remember that you can make changes to these documents at any time.
A Living Will is legal document that is a clear set of instructions that define your wishes about medical treatment that can sustain life, but not cure an underlying disease. It goes into effect if you become terminally ill, incapacitated, or can no longer communicate or make decisions for yourself.
The most important thing to remember about a Living Will is that it protects your rights as a patient. It also helps to eliminate the burden of family members, loved ones, or a doctor having to make decisions about what they think you would want.
It is important to completely understand your choices, and make sure that one choice does not contradict another choice. Always consult a physician or your care team with any questions.
These documents vary from state to state, can be easily accessible on line, and require a witness but do not require an attorney.
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (Health Care Proxy) is a legal document that appoints someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. Generally, you select a spouse, family member, or close friend as your Durable Power of Attorney of Health Care. When making this decision it is important to choose someone who is willing to take on the responsibility, is capable of clearly understanding what the doctors are saying, and has your best interest at heart. Similar to a Living Will it, does not require an attorney but will need to be witnessed.
Once these documents have been completed, they should be kept in a safe place (be sure to let someone know where to find them) and additional copies should be given to your Health Care Proxy, family members, health care providers, attorney, and spiritual advisor.
Another option is to record your wishes or write them down and put them somewhere that are easily accessible.
Please keep in mind that that a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is not the same as a Durable Power of Attorney, which allows someone to make financial decisions on your behalf. Always consult a lawyer with any questions regarding a Durable Power of Attorney.
Additional Resources:
The Five Wishes:
Caring Info:
Living Will Form:
Living Will and Health Care Proxy for New Hampshire:
MOLST: Medical Order of Life Sustaining Treatment:
This differs form an Advance Directive because it is a medical document that contains actionable medical orders based upon the patient’s current medical condition.
Video how to fill out a MOLST form:
Judith Arasi - End of Life Doula 