Understanding Advance Directives

Depending on your age, general health, family situation, goals and values, your wishes regarding various types of medical treatment – or the use of life-sustaining measures – can vary dramatically at each stage of your life.

It is important that you:

• Make your wishes known in the event you cannot express them
• Assure your family understands your choices – before a crisis occurs
• Provide documentation that supports and explains your wishes to your doctor and loved ones

Each of these steps will empower your family to make treatment decisions that respect your feelings and values. Equally important, they will not be burdened by having to make those decisions, without your input, in a crisis situation.

Take the confusion out of this emotional and critical time and be sure that your family has up-to-date information about your end-of-life wishes.

Better understand a Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR), Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA).