Advance Directives: Giving you and your family a sense of peace during crisis

 

This guest post is from Regent 3L Jullian Schinzing, current Wills, Trusts & Estates student:

The Mayo Clinic describes Living Wills and Advance Directives as, “written legal instructions regarding your preferences for medical care if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.” A Living Will outlines the type of medical treatment that a person would or would not want to receive at the end of his or her life. It may also include preferences for other medical decisions such as pain management or organ donation. This type of advance care planning can give your family a sense of direction and peace, even during a medical crisis.

 

Creating an advance directive now can ensure that your wishes will be carried out, even when you can’t make your wishes known. When family members are put in a position to care for a hurting or dying loved one, often these decisions become stressful. It may become difficult for family members to make decisions regarding end of life for someone they love if they don’t know their wishes. It may also cause tension within a family if people’s views, morals, and convictions are not aligned. There may be a difference between what people say they want and what their family members think they want. Creating an advance directive ensures that your loved ones understand your wishes and also provides comfort knowing they are following your wishes during a difficult time. The Mayo Clinic said, “by planning ahead, you can get the medical care you want, avoid unnecessary suffering, and relieve caregivers of decision.” Here is a link to a Jon Stewart interview of Dr. Atul Gawande who shares the value of communicating with your family members about your end of life priorities.

 

All states, including D.C. have laws on advance directives. Advance directives can be modified, updated and canceled at any time according to state law. Individuals who live in multiple states may want to have advance directives in each state they live to ensure that their wishes are known wherever a medical emergency may arise.