Advance directives: What are they and why should you have one?

If you find talking about end-of-life care and advance directives isn’t easy, you’re not alone. One 2013 survey by The Conversation Project found that while 90% of respondents said talking about it with loved ones is important, only 27% actually started the conversation. And according to another recent study, as few as 38% of patients living with a chronic condition in the U.S. have an advance directive.

But planning ahead about the decisions you want your care team to make if you’re unable to communicate — and putting it in writing — can bring peace of mind and reduce confusion for loved ones later on. Let’s take a closer look at what advance directives are all about and how to start the process.

What’s an advance directive?

According to the ALS Association, “an advance directive is a legal document used to instruct others about your health care wishes. It acts as a guide for your loved ones and health care providers to make health care and treatment-related decisions on your behalf, should you become unable to convey them due to illness or incapacity.”

Types of advance directives

There are a few different types of advance directives that vary by state. The two most common are the living will and the durable health care power of attorney (or health care proxy). Let’s break these down:

living will is a formal, legal document (written and signed by you, the patient) that informs certain future health care decisions (about medical treatments like pain treatment, tube feedings or the use of breathing machines) when you’re unable to make decisions and choices on your own. These are for situations involving terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness.

durable power of attorney for health care (or health care power of attorney/proxy) is a legal document in which you name a trusted person to make all your health care decisions if you’re unable to on your own. The proxy can decide on treatments or procedures based on what you do or don’t want. If your wishes aren’t known, the proxy can decide based on what he or she thinks you would want.

What are the benefits of having one?
  • Peace of mind. It gives you an opportunity to plan for the future and talk about your health care preferences with your loved ones and care team. Knowing that they understand and respect your wishes can give you peace of mind that your wishes will be honored even if you can’t communicate.
  • Protect your loved ones. An advance directive, and the conversations leading up to it, give your loved ones the ability to understand what you would want in different health care situations. If they ever need to make decisions on your behalf, it can help minimize guilt and uncertainty.
  • Empower your care team. Your health care providers will know how you would want to move forward with (or stop) treatments.
Do you need a lawyer?

A lawyer could be helpful but isn’t necessary to set up an advance directive. State requirements vary so be sure to stay on top of what forms are required in your state.

Can you change your mind?

Yes, you can make changes to your advance directive at any time, for any reason. Make sure to keep your health care agent/proxy/decision-maker in the loop on any changes and keep updated documents on hand.

Things to consider:

Advance directive forms list examples of different situations to think (and talk) about with your family and care team, depending on your situation. For example, here are a couple ALS-specific treatments to consider:

  • Feeding gastrostomy tube placement (some members have talked about this in the forum)
  • Invasive mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy
Ready to start the process?
  • Choose a trusted decision-maker and start the conversation. Pick someone (or multiple people) as your health care agent or proxy (decision-maker) and talk to them about your wishes. Open and honest communication is important so they can understand your preferences and make decisions on your behalf. Check out this Conversation Starter Kit.
  • Talk to your doctor (check out this how-to guide)
  • Put it in writing. Outline what type of care and treatments you would or would not want, depending on the situation & possible outcomes. (The Five Wishes document could be a helpful guide to writing your wishes)
  • Download your state’s advance directive form
  • Make copies and give them to your family, loved ones and care team. If you make changes, be sure to swap out the old versions with the updated ones.

Check out these resources to learn more about the different types of advance directives and how you can start the process.

Do you have an advance directive? Join PatientsLikeMe today to learn more and see what the community is saying.

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1 thought on “Advance directives: What are they and why should you have one?”

  1. Janet Kimball Cusack

    Is this like a living will?
    Can you send me more written info.
    I am not good at the IPad?

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