ce8241eca8daa010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRDapproved/patient/Library/Cancer.Net FeaturesUnderstanding Advance Directives2008-03-17T18:00:00Z33300Understanding Advance Directivesunderstanding advance directives feature70600411129003200000learnerk1129003200000110learnerklearnerklearnerk017d0c7600efc05210VgnVCM100000ed730ad1____www.caringinfo.org http://www.caringinfo.org/ anchor NA 333008d0c7600efc05210VgnVCM100000ed730ad1____National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm anchor NA 333009d0c7600efc05210VgnVCM100000ed730ad1____Cancer<i>Care</i> http://www.cancercare.org/ anchor NA 33300ad0c7600efc05210VgnVCM100000ed730ad1____Planning Your Medical Future http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2660681/k.9858/Several_types_of_legal_documents_are_available_to_express_your_medical_wishes_if_you_become_unable_to_make_decisions_Taking_time_now_to_plan_your_medical_future_will_give_you_a_greater_sense_of_security_and_peace_of_mind_throughout_survivorship.htm anchor NA 33300bd0c7600efc05210VgnVCM100000ed730ad1____donating organs http://www.organdonor.gov/faq.html anchor NA 3330033300133301<p>While no one wants to face the possibility of life-threatening events or terminal illness, it is better to be prepared. You have the right to choose what medical treatment you do or do not want now or in the future. Advance directives are legal documents, which allow you to convey your preferences about your medical care ahead of time. Making decisions about your medical care is hard enough when you are feeling well and can be even more difficult if you become seriously ill. Advance directives protect your rights and diminish the burden of making decisions for you from your loved ones. You can protect these rights by writing down your wishes in an advance directive and having a witness or witnesses sign the statement. It is very important to talk with your family and doctor about your wishes ahead of time, so they can be aware of your choices.</p> <p><b>Who can make an advance directive?</b><br> <br> Any adult who is mentally and physically able to understand his or her medical condition and express his or her preferences within advance directives can make an advance directive.<br> <br> <b>What is an advance directive?</b><br> <br> An advance directive is a legally binding set of instructions that explain the kind of medical treatment you would want and would not want if you become unable to make these decisions for yourself. In most states, an advanced directive can be oral (spoken), although it is less likely to be challenged if it is in writing. Most, but not all, states honor an advance directive made in other states. If you move to another state, it is a good idea to complete a new advance directive. It is important that you and any other decision makers have accessible copies of your advance directive. Copies should also be given to any institution where you are treated (such as a hospital, doctor's office, or nursing home) or where you live. At this time, there is no advance directive form that is valid in all 50 states. Check your state's requirements and guidelines about advance directive documents.<br> <br> <b>What are the various types of advance directive?</b><br> <br> <b>Living will.</b> This is a written set of instructions outlining your wishes about types of medical care you may or may not want in order to sustain life. A living will is also referred to as a Directive to Physicians and Family. It is used in circumstances when you can no longer verbalize your wishes about your medical care and in which you have become terminally ill. A living will can include statements regarding:</p> <ul> <li>Whether you want the medical team to use cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or artificial life support, such as mechanical respirators, if your breathing or heart stops<br> <br> </li> <li>Whether you would want to receive a feeding tube (artificial nutrition and hydration), if you cannot be fed otherwise<br> <br> </li> <li>Whether you want certain procedures, such as kidney dialysis performed<br> <br> </li> <li>Living wills can be as detailed as you want them to be to make sure that your desires and wishes for life-sustaining treatments are honored. A living will can also include directions about <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.organdonor.gov/faq.html">donating organs</a>.</li> </ul> <b>Durable power of attorney for health care.</b> This type of advance directive designates a person that will make medical decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself. Any competent adult, 18 or older, can be a health-care agent. The person you appoint to make decisions for you is often referred to as your health-care proxy, agent, or attorney-in-fact and has power only over medical decisions, not other matters, such as finances. Your health-care agent would have the authority to make decisions about your health care after your doctor decides that you are no longer able to make your own health-care decisions. As long as you are able to make your own decisions, you have the right to do so despite having a health-care agent appointed for you. It is important to have a discussion with the person you are appointing your health-care agent, so he or she knows your wishes.<br> <br> <b>Can I change my mind once an advance directive is made?</b><br> <br> An advance directive takes effect only after a doctor certifies in writing that you are no longer physically and/or mentally able to make your own decisions. If you still have or regain your ability to make decisions, you can change your advance directive and need to notify the medical personnel that you have done so.<br> <br> <b>Where can I get forms to make an advance directive?</b><br> <br> <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm">National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization</a> provides downloadable, state-specific forms for advance directives at <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.caringinfo.org/">www.caringinfo.org</a>. Also, <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.cancercare.org/">Cancer<i>Care</i></a> may be able to help with related questions.<br> <br> <b>Additional Resources</b><br> <br> Lance Armstrong Foundation: <a target="_new" href="http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2660681/k.9858/Several_types_of_legal_documents_are_available_to_express_your_medical_wishes_if_you_become_unable_to_make_decisions_Taking_time_now_to_plan_your_medical_future_will_give_you_a_greater_sense_of_security_and_peace_of_mind_throughout_survivorship.htm">Planning Your Medical Future</a>3330010823472000001