A healthcare advance directive is a legal document in which you give instructions about your healthcare if, in the future, you cannot make decisions for yourself. You can also give someone the power to make these decisions for you.

Two components make up an advance directive: the living will and the healthcare power of attorney. In a living will, you state your wishes about life-sustaining medical treatments if you become terminally ill. With a power of attorney, you appoint an agent to make decisions about your healthcare if you are not able to do so yourself.

What Is the Value of an Advance Directive?
Unless you state your wishes in a living will and appoint someone power of attorney, healthcare providers and institutions may end up making decisions about your healthcare. An advance directive can also help relieve the stress your loved ones may feel if they have to make decisions about your care without knowing your wishes.

How Do I Make an Advance Directive?
There are standard forms and signing procedures for making an advance directive. Anyone can write to the Legal Counsel for the Elderly to receive these forms.

The address is Legal Counsel for the Elderly, P.O. Box 96474, Washington, DC 20090-6474. State-specific guidebooks about advance directives cost $5. You can also call your attorney for help.

Give a copy of your advance directive to your healthcare agent, your primary care practitioner and any loved ones who should be aware of your wishes.

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