Advance Medical Directives
(Living Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Proxy)
Medical Author:
Maude B. Hecht, RN
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel, Jr. MD, FACP, FACR
Introduction
Advance Directives: The term "Advance Directives"
refers to treatment preferences and the designation of a surrogate decision-
maker in the event that a person should become unable to make medical decisions
on her or his own behalf.
Advance directives generally fall into three categories: living
will, power of attorney, and health care proxy.
Living Will: This is a written document that specifies
what types of medical treatment are desired should the individual
become incapacitated. A living will can be general or very
specific. The most common statement in a living will is to the
effect that:
- If I suffer an incurable, irreversible illness, disease, or
condition and my attending physician determines that my condition is
terminal, I direct that life-sustaining measures that would serve
only to prolong my dying be withheld or discontinued.
More specific living wills may include information regarding an
individual's desire for such services such as analgesia (pain
relief), antibiotics, hydration, feeding, CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation) and the use of life-support equipment including
ventilators.
Health Care Proxy: This is a legal document in which an
individual designates another person to make health care decisions if
he or she is rendered incapable of making their wishes known. The
health care proxy has, in essence, the same rights to request or
refuse treatment that the individual would have if capable of making
and communicating decisions.
Durable Power of Attorney: Through this type of advance
directive, an individual executes legal documents which provide the
power of attorney to others in the case of an incapacitating medical
condition. The durable power of attorney allows an individual to
make bank transactions, sign Social Security checks, apply for
disability, or simply write checks to pay the utility bill while an
individual is medically incapacitated.
Next: History of Advance Directives »
- Suicide - Learn the warning signs and symptoms of suicidal behavior (writing a suicide note), and get the facts on suicide prevention, causes, treatment, assessment, risk factors and support.
- Caregiving - Get information about caregiving for older adults and the elderly. Learn about the role of a caregiver, the impact of stress on caregivers, respite care and support groups.
- Alzheimer's Disease: Home Safety Information - Learn about home safety for people with Alzheimer's disease. Tips and tools to secure your home inside and out, warning signs of unsafe driving in an Alzheimer's patient and more.
Latest Medical News
Interactive Slideshows
Health News Feed