When it comes to planning for the future, individuals often overlook one essential aspect of health care: advance directives. These legal documents outline your preferences for medical treatments in case you cannot communicate your wishes.
With the myriad of options available, it can be challenging to determine which advance directive is best suited for your needs. Let us explore the two primary types of advance directives to help you make an informed decision.
Living will
A living will is a straightforward document that allows you to specify the medical treatments you would want or not want if you were unable to express your preferences. It covers a range of critical medical interventions, including life support, resuscitation and organ donation. This document helps ensure that your health care wishes are honored, providing you and your family peace of mind during difficult times.
Health care proxy
A health care proxy is a different type of advance directive, equally crucial for your health care planning. This document appoints a trusted person, known as a health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care, to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself. The person you designate should understand your values and be willing to advocate for your best interests.
Which advance directive is best for you?
While both advance directives serve important purposes, the ideal choice depends on your preferences and circumstances. You might want to consider a living will if you have specific preferences for medical treatments, such as not wanting to be kept on life support in a terminal condition. On the other hand, if you prefer to entrust medical decisions to someone close to you, a health care proxy may be more suitable.
For comprehensive advance care planning, it is worth considering both types of directives together. By combining a living will and a health care proxy, you can ensure that you have clearly stated your wishes while having a designated advocate to communicate with health care providers.