Why You Need Advance Health Directives

Here’s the plot:

Only one-third of U.S. adults have completed advance health directives, yet physicians frequently report circumstances necessitating medical directives or a healthcare proxy.

First, what are advance healthcare directives?

An advance directive or medical directive refers to legal documents that outline your preferences for medical care and decision-making in the event that you are unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself.

The two main types of advance healthcare directives are:

1. Living Will – Details the medical treatment you would or wouldn’t want, such as life-sustaining measures.
2. Healthcare Proxy – Designates a person of your choice to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

Health care directives ensure that you are taken care of according to your wishes, even if you’re unable to express them in an emergency. They also allow you to appoint a healthcare proxy you trust, who is most likely to understand what you want and make tough decisions with your best interests and beliefs in mind.

Ultimately, a detailed advance directive lets you retain control over your medical autonomy!

Health care directives are a family affair

Too often, families are torn apart by infighting incited by tragic illness or medical emergencies in the absence of a medical directive. When the well-being of a loved one is on the line, emotions become heightened, and familial bonds are tested. Confusion surrounding tough medical decisions will only lead to increased stress and the destruction of family connections.

Without guidance from an advance directive, concerned parties might not agree on a course of action. With such high stakes, simple disagreement can lead to intense debate, the exchange of heated remarks, and unintended consequences. A healthcare directive can act as a preventative measure, articulating your wishes and putting decision-making squarely on the shoulders of someone you trust.

It’s also worth noting that talking about advance health directives can be a valuable bonding opportunity. While it may be difficult to broach the subject initially, families feel a special sense of closeness and inclusivity once they are able to open up to one another.

How might having an advance healthcare directive save your financial legacy?

Studies show that having advance health directives improves quality of care and patient satisfaction. Moreover, it can reduce health care spending, crucially alleviating some of the financial burden from your loved ones should the worst happen.

Though your family isn’t necessarily responsible for paying off your bills when you pass, your debt—including medical debt—will be paid by your estate, draining your accounts and drastically reducing inheritance. In other words, surprise medical charges can still impact your family’s legacy long after you have any say in the matter.

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Healthcare directives aren’t just for the elderly or sick

It isn’t pleasant to think about, but accidents can happen to anyone. Remind your children that if something happens while they’re at college or away on a trip, there’s a chance you won’t even be notified without a medical directive. Some states don’t require healthcare providers to check with family members before administering service. This includes critical medical decisions that can impact quality of life or even end-of-life care.

Don’t underestimate the importance of having essential health-related initiatives before the need arises. Unforeseen circumstances can happen to anyone, and HIPAA regulations can prevent facilities from relaying information to you or your loved ones unless authorized to receive it beforehand through a health care directive.

Start a conversation about advance health directives

At the very least, you should discuss medical wishes with your adult children and other family members who would be by your side in an emergency. Filing a detailed advance directive covers many scenarios, but it can also be beneficial to simply talk about it.

How would you want them to act if you could not make sound decisions for yourself? In what situations, if any, would you want to be taken off life support or enact a DNR?

And don’t forget, it goes both ways. Ask them what they would want if you were the one making decisions in their place.

Make medical directives part of your yearly reflection

It’s no secret that people change their minds as they learn more about themselves and the way of the world. This applies to important medical issues. When you take the time to reflect on the past year, include your healthcare directives in the conversation.

“Think of your advance directives as living documents that you review at least once each year and update if a major life event occurs such as retirement, moving out of state, or a significant change in your health.”

— The National Institute on Aging

As they say, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!

Additional Information:

For free advance directive forms for every state, check out the AARP’s Advance Directive Forms.

To learn more about talking to family about advance health directives, check out my article “Starting the Conversation on Advance Directives.”

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can family override advance directives?

An advance healthcare directive cannot be overridden as long as it is legally valid and clearly outlines your medical preferences. Advance directives are specifically designed to take precedence even if family members disagree.

What are the three types of advance directives?

The three types of advance directives are a living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare or healthcare proxy, and a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order.

What is the difference between a DNR and an advance directive?

A DNR is a type of advance directive with a specific purpose. It tells healthcare providers not to perform resuscitation if you stop breathing or if your heart stops beating. An advance directive refers to a broader legal document that outlines general healthcare wishes, including but not limited to a DNR order.

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