How to Write a Professional Health Care Directive
A professional health directive, otherwise known as an advance directive, is a legal document that outlines your preferences for health care during a serious illness. There are two types: a living will that specifies what you'd like your doctor to do to prolong your life, and a durable power of attorney (DPOA) for health care, which names the person you want to make your medical decisions if you're incapacitated. Some advance directives include a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order asking providers not to provide CPR if your heart or your breathing stops. You may write your own directive if you don't want to hire an attorney.
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Instructions
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Identify the form your state requires for an advance directive. Caring Connections (caringinfo.org) hosts a free online listing of documents for each state that can be downloaded for individual use. The forms include the components of a living will as well as a durable power of attorney for health care.
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Download the form for your state and review it carefully. It's important to understand what decisions are outlined in the document so you can think things through. Look up any terms you don't understand, such as "nutritional and hydration assistance" and "mechanical ventilation" on a consumer-friendly site such as the one hosted by the Mayo Clinic.
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Discuss options for end-of-life care with your family and significant others. Explain how you feel about lifesaving measures, and why you feel that way. When family members are involved up front, there's less controversy if you do become incapacitated.
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Choose a health care agent. This is the person who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you can't make them for yourself. Select someone who is trustworthy, with good common sense. It can be a family member, but doesn't have to be. It's generally best to select someone who lives nearby if possible.
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Complete your state-specific advance directive form(s) and obtain any required witness signatures. Once you have the forms done, make sure you give copies to your personal physician, health care agent, close family members, and attorney.
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Tips & Warnings
According to the American Hospital Association, you can change your advance directive at any time by completing a new form and having it signed by witnesses. If time is tight, you can simply notify your physician and family members that you want to cancel the directive.
Many people change their perspective about end-of-life care as they grow older, or when they're faced with a new diagnosis. Review your advance directive regularly to make sure you still agree with your earlier decisions, and update it as necessary. Make sure you destroy any outdated forms and share the new one.
