Advance Care Planning is Even More Important if You Have Had a Stroke Stroke survivors have weathered one storm, but statistics say that they will likely face more illness. According to the American Heart Association, 25% of the nearly 800,000 Americans who suffered from a stroke in a year are survivors of a previous stroke.…
Read MoreWhy all adults should have a living will A living will is your voice concerning your healthcare when you are no longer able to express yourself. It is a written, legally-binding document, and it guides your doctors’ decisions at the end of your life. Here’s why adults should seriously consider making a living will. Put…
Read MoreCan a family member override an advance directive? One of the greatest benefits of making an advance directive is the peace of mind you get from knowing your healthcare wishes will be followed, even when you can no longer make those decisions yourself. You may be wondering how solid of a document an advance directive really is.…
Read MoreComparing a living will to a will? The various documents you create when planning for the end of your life are often confusing. There is a will, and there is a living will. The two wills are different documents, and they are created for different purposes. What is a living will? A living will is…
Read MoreAs you plan for your future, you may wonder about all the references to your power of attorney. How much power exactly will your power of attorney have? Specifically, will your power attorney be able to make medical decisions for you? We’ll try to answer this question for you by explaining the different types of…
Read MoreLet’s say that you create an advance directive which includes a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order. Then, when you are in surgery and your heart stops beating, the doctor does not honor the DNR order. Instead, he resuscitates you. Does that happen? Yes, it does, even though it shouldn’t. Health Care Facilities That Do Not Honor DNRs…
Read MoreHaving an advance directive is not a required action. Many people become incompetent to make their own health care decisions, and they have no plan in place for a doctor to follow. What happens then? The steps that are taken actually depend on the state, but most states have a similar response to this situation.…
Read MoreWhen people are beginning their end-of-life planning, they often become confused by the different terms. One question we hear quite often is, “What is the difference between a living will and an advance directive?” The two terms mean similar things, so it is understandable that they sometimes get used wrongly. To clear up the confusion,…
Read MoreAdvance directives are legal, written documents that state your health care wishes for the end of your life when you are no longer able to make those decisions on your own. Each state has a different form for advance directives and different requirements. However, these forms do not need to be prepared by an attorney.…
Read MoreUnderstanding 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…
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