Advance Directives
What is an Advance Healthcare Directive?
Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) is a document with special instructions, prepared in advance, designed to directmedical care for you if you are unable to do so. This is helpful for adults of all ages and is useful in situations where youcannot speak for yourself. Completing the AHD does not mean you do not want treatment. It is designed to give specificdirection to your physicians and your family.
Why do you need one?
An AHD can help put your mind at ease and enhance your doctor’s and your family’s knowledge regarding your wishesfor medical treatment. An AHD can prevent treatment that you would not choose for yourself and decrease feelings ofhelplessness and guilt for your family.
What should I include in my AHD?
Consider what is important to you—what are your goals for medical treatment?
- What things are important to you? Independence, self-sufficiency things of that nature.
- How do you imagine youwould handle serious illness or disability?
- How might your personal relationships affect medical decision-making?
- What role should doctors and other health professionals play in such decisions?
- What kind of living environmentis important to you if you become seriously ill or disabled?
- What role do religious beliefs play in your decisions?
- Should cost to your family be a part of the decision-making process?
In considering these questions you should choose someone that you trust to carry out these wishes. It is also recommendthat you also select an alternate. Go over carefully with them what your wishes are and ask them if they would be willingto follow through with your choices.