Advance Directives

Question: Advance Directives

Answer: An advance directive is documentation of your wishes in relation to health care and end of life care, in case you are unable to express your desires because your illness has limited your capacity to do so. It is only used for health care purposes and does not include wishes about financial or property issues.

In relation to terminal cancer, an advance directive provides instructions about specific treatments, tests, and care they prefer during their end of life care. It can also designate a person to make health care choices for them, if they cannot do so themselves.

Laws regarding advance directives vary from state to state. Check your state's laws about advance directives before drawing up your documentation.

The Need for an Advance Directive

It is recommended that people have an advance directive drawn up before the need arises. Advance directives are extremely important in healthcare situations that cannot be predicted such as severe accidents and comas. So, regardless of health, many experts recommend that everyone have a current advance directive in place.