Advanced Directives Guide Health Care Decisions
Elisabeth McCord, MSW
If you are an adult and want to be sure your wishes regarding health care are followed if you cannot communicate, you need an advance directive, regardless of your age or health.
BCMH Social Worker Elisabeth McCord shares the most common questions she hears regarding advance directives.
Q. What is an advance directive?
A. An advance directive is an umbrella term for two important legal documents everyone over 18 should complete. The first document is a durable power of attorney for health care. In this document, you name someone to serve as your agent if you lack the capacity to make or communicate your health care decisions in the future. You also should name alternates if your first choice cannot serve.
The second most important document is the health care directive. This document indicates your care and treatment choices about life-prolonging procedures if you are persistently unconscious or at the end stage of a serious incapacitating or terminal illness.
Q. Do I need both a durable power of attorney for health care and a health care directive?
A. This is a matter of choice. The durable power of attorney is your way to name someone who can make decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. If you want to help guide this person’s decisions and be certain your wishes are carried out, you should complete the health care directive.
Q. When is the best time to complete these forms?
A. The best time to complete these forms is when you’re healthy, not feeling pressured and you can talk with family and friends about your choices.
Q. Is there any cost to complete advance directives or do I need a lawyer?
A. There is no cost associated with completing advance directives. BCMH provides free copies of the forms and also will notarize the documents at no charge.
Q. What do I do with the forms once I have completed them?
A. Once you complete the forms and have them notarized, be sure to make copies and share them with the person you have selected as your agent, your doctor and your hospital. From time to time, review your forms to be certain they are up to date.
But probably most important, be sure to discuss your advance directive with your family and tell them where you keep it.
Q. When do my advance directives go into effect?
A. It’s important to remember that advance directives only go into effect when you can no longer make or communicate decisions for yourself. If you are hospitalized, but can still communicate, you will make your own decisions.
Download the Advance Directive and Power of Attorney form.