Advance Medical Directives

Advance directives refers to specific treatment preferences of a patient and also the designation of a decision-maker if the patient themselves is unable to make their own decisions. This includes a living will, the power of attorney and health care proxy.

The Living Will

This is a document written for the purpose of stating what types of medical treatments are desired by the patient if they become incapacitated. This might be specific or general, and most living wills state that life-sustaining measures should be withheld in the event that the condition is terminal. This includes treatments such as CPR, pain relief, antibiotics, hydration and feeding, and life support machines.

Health Care Proxy

This is a document that states who should make the decisions if the patient is ever considered unable to make their own decisions. This means that they can either refuse or request certain treatments as the patient would have if they had been able.

Power of Attorney

This means that the individual can allow individuals to make certain decisions and take certain actions while the patient is incapacitated. This include writing checks, paying bills, bank transactions and so on.

Current Situation on Advance Directives

In the US, only 1 out of five adults will have an advance directive. These laws have only been past within the last three decades in all states.