Advance Health Care Directives Provide Peace of Mind

Advance health care directives help individuals ensure their care wishes are met.

Life is unpredictable. And although an advance health care directive can be easy enough to put off, planning end-of-life choices now can help provide peace of mind that your standards and wishes about your health care will be listened to in the future. Additionally, it will ease the responsibility of decision-making on your family members.

Advance directives typically include these documents:

• Living will. This written, legal document outlines the kinds of health care procedures and life-sustaining measures a patient would or would not like, such as mechanical breathing (respiration and ventilation), tube feeding or resuscitation.
• Health care power of attorney (POA). The health care POA is a legal document that identifies an individual to make health care decisions on the patient’s behalf if the patient is incapacitated. (This is distinct from a power of attorney designating someone to make finance transactions.) An Authorization to Release Protected Healthcare Information form may also be mandated.

An advance health care directive gives a clear statement concerning your choice to prolong your life or to withhold or discontinue treatment, and should be developed by all adults aged 18 or over; so if you have not yet thought about your wishes, there is no better time than now to assess your preferences and to ensure they’re unmistakably and legally documented. It’s vital to note, too, that an advance health care directive can be updated at any time if your desires should ever change.

Although you are not required to seek legal advice to prepare an advance health care directive, it may well be a good idea to do so to confirm that the exact guidelines for your wishes are recorded appropriately.

When your family members are aware of your wishes for treatment, they can devote their energy to providing appropriate care and compassion, without worry over legal matters.

Hired Hands Homecare is always here to help older individuals in any way needed to make sure their wishes are fulfilled, both now and in the future. We can provide transportation and accompaniment to legal appointments, along with a wide range of customized in-home care services to ensure life is the very best it can be. 

Whether the need is for support with personal care needs, running errands, housecleaning and meal preparation, specialized care for Alzheimer’s, or just a friendly companion to talk to and engage in pleasant activities with, our professional caregivers offer as much or as little support as required, based on each person’s unique needs and desired schedule. Email or give us a call at (866) 940-4343 to learn more about our San Rafael home care team and the surrounding communities we serve.

Advance Health Care Directives