About Advance Directives

Advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care, are legal documents written in advance of serious accident or illness while you are healthy. They state your preferences for health care or appoint someone you trust to make medical choices when you cannot speak for yourself. You can include instructions about any treatment you want or wish to avoid, such as surgery or artificial nutrition and hydration, as well as organ donations.

Living wills and other advance directives are not just for older adults or end-of-life situations. Unexpected situations that leave you unable to speak for yourself can happen at any age, and so it is essential for all adults to have advance directives. This is especially important today largely due to the advancement of medical technology to prolong lives. Most people want to avoid the risk of personal and family suffering brought about by the artificial prolongation of life if they are in a vegetative state or have little hope of recovery.

Once you have completed your advance directives, the documents should be signed, dated and witnessed by two people. Your witnesses should be individuals who you know well but are not relatives, potential heirs to your estate or your health care providers. Discuss your advance directives with your physician, family, clergy and attorney so that they are aware of your decisions. Your physician and family lawyer can also retain a copy in your permanent records.

Each state has its own laws regarding advance directives. Although it isn't required, you may want to consult an attorney about this process. State-specific forms are available from a variety of Web sites.

My CD is a convenient way to help assure that your wishes are carried out. Your signed and witnessed documents will be scanned onto your personal My Care Decisions CD to carry at all times. The paper copy and an electronic copy will be kept on file at Florida Hospital.

Resources

The American Bar Association
American Medical Association
Aging with Dignity - Five Wishes
American Cancer Society
National Library of Medicine
American Hospital Association - Put it in Writing
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
TransLife