Picture this: You have been incapacitated by a sudden catastrophic injury or illness. You can’t speak or make decisions about your health care. Family members may be left wondering what the best way forward is since they don’t know your medical preferences.
Such an unexpected event can happen to anyone, which is why you need an advance health care directive. That’s a legal document that spells out your medical wishes, particularly for end-of-life care, if you cannot communicate them or make decisions for yourself.
With an advance health care directive, you can appoint someone to make medical decisions for you and outline what kind of treatments you want or don’t want if you’re seriously ill or near death.
Why it matters
You might assume that your family will just know what to do or what you would want, but that’s not necessarily the case. Emotions run high in medical crises, and opinions can differ when making life-or-death decisions. An advance directive prevents confusion and ensures your wishes guide the decision-making process.
Your loved ones won’t have to guess or argue over what’s best for you, which can prevent unnecessary conflicts. Beyond easing the burden on the people you care about, you will remain in control of your medical decisions despite being incapacitated.
Don’t wait until it’s too late
Advance health care directives aren’t just for the elderly or individuals with terminal illnesses. You never know what lies ahead, even if you are young and healthy. Making your wishes known and putting them in a legally enforceable document are simple steps that can make a world of difference should disaster strike.
Reaching out for legal guidance can help ensure that your instructions are clear, comprehensive and enforceable. Knowing that you have done everything right will give you peace of mind and confidence to navigate life and its uncertainties.
