Getting Your Paperwork in Order
Advance directives are oral or written statements that ensure you receive the care you want if you ever lose the ability to make healthcare decisions for yourself.
There are three main types of advance directives:
- Living Will
- Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order
For a FREE "Advance Directives Kit," which includes the popular Five Wishes planning document, send us an e-mail. (Please add FIVE WISHES REQUEST to the subject line.)
Living Will
- A living will is a document that states your wishes and instructions regarding medical treatments.
- A living will states both your preferences and limits regarding some of the measures used to prolong life.
- Taking the time to create a living will encourages both you and your family to examine your wishes for end-of-life treatment, care and pain management.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
- A durable power of attorney for healthcare or medical power of attorney allows you to appoint an agent to make healthcare decisions if you are unable to do so.
- The form also allows you to provide clear and convincing proof of your intentions regarding your future healthcare.
- The person you name, typically called a healthcare proxy, agent or surrogate, has the authority to act according to your stated intentions if you are unconscious or in a state where communication or decision-making is not possible.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order
- A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is an advance directive written by your attending physician that states that in the event of cardiac arrest, no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or attempts get your heart beating again are to be performed.
- Although a DNR order is written by a physician, it reflects your wishes.
State-specific information is available through the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
CONTACT US
Give us a call for more information about advance directives or our safety net of palliative care services:
(847) 467-7423
TTY: (800) 526-0857
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