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3 Types of Advance Directives

Posted on: January 19th, 2021 by Chad Hill

Understanding the different types of advance directives can be confusing. There are different types and formats. You’re not always sure which one is best for you.  My Living Wishes will guide you and your loved ones through the various options and help you fill out your advance directive with confidence. Keep reading to learn more about three different types of advance directives.

Living Will

The living will tells your physician your health care wishes when you are unable to make those types of decisions on your own. It can only be used if you are terminally ill and facing the end of your life, or if you are permanently unconscious. This is a legal document, and other people do not have legal rights to interpret the words in the living will for the attending physician.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

This advance directive also goes by the name “Medical Power of Attorney.” It is a legal document in which you name a person who will make your health care decisions if you are unable to do so. If you have certain end-of-life health care wishes, be sure to tell the person what they are. If that person doesn’t know your wishes, they can use their own judgment to make health care decisions for you.

Do Not Resuscitate Order

A DNR order tells hospital staff that you do not want them to try to restart your heart if you stop breathing while in the hospital. This means they won’t use CPR, an automated external defibrillator (AED), or a breathing machine to get your heart beating again. If you do not have a DNR order, hospital staff will try to revive you back to life every way they can.

Would you like help navigating and understanding the various types of advance directives? My Living Wishes is here for you. Please contact us, and we’ll help you start planning today.