7 Tips for effective advance healthcare directives

Author: Stephen Shaw

An advance healthcare directive is sometimes called a living will, it is a legal statement made by a person stating his or her wishes on healthcare if they are unable to decide for themselves. It helps people to make future decisions on their healthcare without interference by third parties or undue influence from other people. For example a person who states that he or she does not wish to be placed on a life support machine shall be granted his or her wishes by the medical staff at the hospital. An advanced healthcare directive makes provisions on life support machine, feeding tubes, dialysis or whether to be resuscitated and whether organs should be donated. There are two types of advance directives; a living will where you tell your health providers your wishes and a durable power of attorney where you appoint someone to represent your wishes when it comes to healthcare.

7 Tips for effective advance healthcare directives

These are some of the tips for effective advance healthcare directives;

  • Choose a reliable durable power of attorney

When you decide to write an advance healthcare directive, make sure you choose a trustworthy person to be your durable power of attorney. You can appoint a spouse, another family member or a close friend. He or she will have the legal authority to make decisions concerning your healthcare.

  • Discuss with your family

It is recommended that you discuss your wishes with your family members, by doing this they will be able to know and understand your wishes. We sometimes think that family members know what we want but you will be surprised at the difference in their thoughts and wishes. If you discuss your wishes with them, there are more chances that your directives shall be followed to the latter.

  • Discuss with your healthcare providers

It is important that you discuss your wishes with your physician so that they know how to care for you when the advance healthcare directive becomes relevant. They can help paraphrase your statements in a way that is medically possible, show you what parts of your requests are inconsistent and tell you what aspects of your directives they can honor and which one they cannot honor.

  • Keep a copy

It is always advisable to carry a copy of your advance healthcare directive if you are traveling since you, may never know when you will need it. You can put in an easy to find place, so that it can be found easily in case it is needed.

  • Review and revise your advance directive

You may need to regularly review and revise your directive since change of circumstances may alter your wishes. Events like loss of a family member, divorce or a new diagnosis can affect your wishes.

  • Keep a record of who has your advance directives

Doing this will enable you make sure the relevant parties like your healthcare provider and your durable power of attorney each has a copy.

  • Keep a note

You may have to keep a note in your wallet stating that you have an advance healthcare directive and where it is. It should also state your healthcare provider as well as your durable power of attorney.

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