Advance Directive
What is an Advanced Directive?
A legal document that states a person's wishes about receiving medical care if that person is no longer able to make medical decisions because of a serious illness or injury.
What is an example of an advance directive?
A specific and common example of an advance directive is a “do not resuscitate” order (or DNR), which guides care only if your heart stops beating (cardiac arrest) or you are no longer breathing.
What are the most common 3 types of advance directives?
Types of Advance Directives
- The living will
- Durable power of attorney for health care/Medical power of attorney
- POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
- Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders
- Organ and tissue donation
What are the benefits of advance directives?
A simple, straightforward document called an advance directive allows you to express your wishes if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate.
An advance directive:
- Gives your loved ones peace of mind.
- Minimizes stress.
- Reduces potential conflicts among family members.
To learn more about Advanced Directives, Power of Attorney, and Do No Resuscitate (DNR) visit this website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning-health-care-directives