Advance Directives

We spend a lot of time talking about the importance of living responsibly, which involves preparing for the realities of life. While we believe making the decisions involved in funeral pre-planning is one reflection of a responsible mindset, we also know the critical importance of completing an advance directive.

What is an Advance Directive?

Sometimes called advance care directives, these documents ensure that your wishes will be carried out in the future.

Defined as "a written statement of a person's wishes regarding medical treatment," advance directives, when properly signed and witnessed, will provide guidance for medical and health care decisions in the event the individual becomes incompetent and can no longer make such decisions.

Other Things to Know about Advance Directives

• Advance directives are legal throughout the United States.
• Governing laws vary so be sure to obtain an advance directive that complies with your state's laws.
• You do not need an attorney to complete an advance directive.
• If you reside in more than one state, you should complete an advance directive for each state where you spend a significant amount of time.
• There are no time limitations on advance directives. A signed advance directive remains in force until a new one is completed.
• Periodically review your advance directive to make sure it still reflects your desires. If it doesn't, don't try to amend it; simply complete a new one.
• Paramedics and emergency medical technicians cannot recognize or honor a living will or medical power of attorney. They are obligated to do their best to stabilize the patient and get them to the hospital. When you are in the care of hospital personnel, your advance directive becomes valid.

What's Involved in Preparing an Advance Directive?

It requires thoughtful introspection and conversation with family members. The American Bar Association describes the process this way: "Good advance planning for health care decisions is, in reality, a continuing conversation about values, priorities, the meaning of one's life, and quality of life."

To assist you in the process, the Association offers website visitors the Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning. This tool kit includes, "a variety of self-help worksheets, suggestions and resources." Unfortunately, the tool kit does not allow you to create a formal advance directive but "it helps you do the much harder job of discovering, clarifying, and communicating what is important to you in the face of serious illness."

Where to Obtain an Advance Directive Form

It's fairly easy to get a copy of the advance care directive form for your state. Your local hospital is a reliable source, as federal law requires every hospital to not only provide information about advance directives to people in their service area, they are also required to share valuable information about the related laws in your state. Contact the Department of Social Services at your hospital to learn more. Your family physician may also have advance directive forms available for patients.

Fortunately, you can also find advance directive forms for every state at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's Caring Connections website. Or, you can obtain a copy of the advance directive form on the website National Healthcare Decision Day.

You will need to have the advance directive witnessed and notarized. If you do not have access to a notary, you can find one using either of the following websites:

• Notary Rotary
• American Society of Notaries
• Notary Pool

Once your advance directive is completed, signed, witnessed, and notarized, you may wish to upload a copy to your state's advance directive registry. This service allows healthcare providers quick access to your advance directive should they need it. Locate the advance directive registry for your state online or visit the website for the U.S. Living Will Registry.