What are advance directives? — Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to spell out ahead of time what types medical care you would want if you ever became unable to speak for yourself. These documents can help ensure that you get the care you want even if you have an unexpected serious illness or accident. The documents can also make things easier for the people who will need to make decisions for you if you ever become unable to make them for yourself.

Are there different kinds of advance directives? — Yes. The most useful kinds of advance directives are:

�œHealthcare proxy (also called the durable power of attorney for healthcare) – The healthcare proxy document allows you to choose someone to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to speak for yourself. The benefit of having this document is that it makes your choice of a decision-maker clear to your doctors and family members. When you choose a healthcare proxy, it is important to talk to the person you choose about the things that you do or don’t want. That way your decision-maker knows what to do later on if he or she ever has to speak for you.

�œLiving will – A living will is the document that tells healthcare providers what type of care you want if you become unable to speak for yourself. For instance, a living will allows you to record in writing whether you would want a feeding tube put in if you had a serious illness or accident.

�œDo not resuscitate/do not intubate order (also called a DNR/DNI) – If you decide you do not want your heart restarted if it stops and you do not want a breathing tube put in if you stop breathing, you can ask for a DNR/DNI. This is a form that must be signed by a doctor. It tells all your healthcare providers that you have decided you do not want these treatments.

How do I choose a healthcare proxy? — Choose someone who:

�œYou know and trust

�œCan separate his or her own wishes from your own

�œYou know would carry out your wishes if that became necessary

�œCould be easily reached if he or she was needed

�œCould handle it if other family members or loved ones wanted you to get treated differently than you would want

Some people choose a second person as an alternate proxy, in case their first choice cannot be reached at the time decisions need to be made.

Who should have an advance directive? — Advance directives are a good idea for anyone, but they are especially important if:

�œYou are older than 65.

�œYou have a serious life-threatening illness, such as advanced cancer, or end-stage heart or liver failure.

�œThe person whom you would like as your healthcare proxy (decision-maker) is not a family member or legally married to you. If that is the case the person you would choose might not be allowed to make decisions for you. Unless there is a healthcare proxy, the law usually states that a person’s closest family member has the right to make decisions for him or her.

What kinds of decisions will I need to make? — Your advance directives can have as much or as little detail as you want. But many people who have advance directives record their wishes about the following treatments:

�œBreathing tubes – If you stop breathing or are having a very hard time breathing, you can get attached to a machine that will help you breathe. For that to happen, you will have to be “intubated.” That means that a tube will be put down your throat and into your lungs. Then the tube will be connected to a breathing machine. When the tube is in place, you will not be able to talk, at least at first. Plus, you will probably be sedated, meaning that you are on medicines that make you sleep.



Sometimes a breathing machine is needed only for a short time. For instance, some people need the breathing machine just while they recover from a lung infection. When deciding about a breathing tube, consider whether you would want it at all, want it only for a short time, or want it no matter what. Also, keep in mind that any time a breathing machine is used, it is hard to know for sure if and when it will be able to be disconnected.

�œCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – If your heart stops beating suddenly, doctors might be able to restart it by pumping on your chest, putting in a breathing tube and pushing air into your lungs, giving you an electric shock (called “defibrillation”), and/or giving you special medicines. Some people recover completely after having their heart restarted. Others have permanent brain damage from a lack of blood flow to the brain; this is most likely in people who have an advanced, serious illness.

�œFeeding tubes – If you become unable to eat, you can have a tube put into your stomach or intestines that can deliver nutrients. A feeding tube can keep a person’s body going while he or she heals and gets strong. But it can also keep a person alive for a long time even if there is no chance the person will recover.

Can I change my mind? — Yes. You can change your mind at any time. If you sign an advance directive and you decide you want a different kind of treatment or you no longer want the healthcare proxy you chose, all you have to do is tell your doctor or nurse about your new decision. If you want to name a new healthcare proxy or want to record new wishes, you can draw up new documents.