Purpose

With an advanced directive, you have already made your wishes known about the medical treatments you do and do not want to receive. This helps to avoid confusion and spares your love ones the stress of having to make difficult decisions on how to handle your health challenges.

Living Will

A living will is an advanced directive in which you decide if you wish to accept or refuse life-sustaining treatments such as dialysis, breathing machines, resuscitation, tube feeding, and organ and tissue donations.

Health Care Decisions

A durable power of attorney for health care is an advanced directive in which you select a person whom you want to make your health care decisions if you are no longer physically or mentally able.

Do Not Resuscitate

A do not resuscitate (DNR) advanced directive is a document in which you instruct health professionals not to use cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on you if your heart stops or you stop breathing.

Forms

You can get advanced directive forms from your doctor, lawyer, the health department or the department of aging for your state. You can also write your wishes down and, along with two witnesses, have them notarized.

Changes

You can change your mind at any time. It is best to make changes in writing and have them witnessed and notarized.

Source:

Caring Info.org

Family Doctor.org

Medline Plus