A Simple Guide to Health Care Directives

A health care directive ensures your voice is heard in critical medical decisions, even if you’re unable to speak for yourself. It allows you to decide in advance the types of medical treatments and care you would want if you were seriously ill or nearing the end of life. This can include everything from life-saving measures like CPR to decisions about organ donation.

Making these decisions now provides your family with clear guidance, sparing them from the burden of difficult choices and giving them confidence that they’re honoring your wishes. It also ensures that you define the quality of life that matters most, rather than leaving these choices to doctors or the court system.

Steps to Take for an Advance Health Care Directive

1. Learn About Your Options

Talk to your doctor about the medical treatments you may need as you age or if you face a serious illness. Many resources are available to help guide you in making informed choices that reflect your values.

2. Have Open Conversations

Discuss your preferences with family, your doctor, and anyone close to you. These conversations ensure that the people you trust understand exactly what you want in various medical situations.

3. Pick Someone to Make Decisions for You

If there comes a time when you can’t speak for yourself, a trusted person will need to step in. Choose someone you trust to carry out your health care wishes, and make sure they understand and are prepared for this responsibility.

4. Put It in Writing

Once you know what you want, complete an official advance health care directive. You can use a template or create your own, as long as it includes the necessary information as required by your state’s laws.

5. Store and Share Your Plan

Keep your directive in a safe place and give copies to your doctor, your chosen health care agent, and trusted family members. At Roots and Wings Legal, we offer Legacy Vault™, a secure digital platform for storing and sharing essential documents, including your health care directive, with trusted individuals. This ensures that everyone who needs access has it when the time comes.

Hospice Care: Comfort at the End of Life

Hospice care is designed to provide comfort and peace during the final months of life for those with terminal illnesses. Rather than pursuing curative treatments, hospice care manages pain and prioritizes quality of life, typically provided at home to allow patients to be surrounded by loved ones.

Hospice care extends beyond physical needs, offering emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and family. A team—including doctors, nurses, social workers, and counselors—provides guidance and support. If hospice care is needed, review the care plan closely to ensure it aligns with the patient’s values and wishes.

Palliative Care: Improving Quality of Life

Palliative care is focused on alleviating pain and symptoms of serious illness, regardless of life expectancy. This type of care is available to improve quality of life for those facing chronic or terminal conditions, addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs in a way that respects the patient’s beliefs and values.

If you’re facing a serious illness, work with your doctor to create a personalized pain management plan that balances comfort with the quality of life you desire.

Why Planning for Health Care Decisions is Essential

Planning for your health care decisions is essential to ensure your wishes are respected, especially if you’re unable to communicate them yourself. By establishing a health care directive, you give your loved ones and healthcare providers the clarity they need to make decisions that align with your values, priorities, and long-term legacy goals.

Designing Your Legacy with Purpose

At Roots and Wings Legal, we understand how deeply personal these decisions are, and we’re here to guide you in creating a plan that reflects your unique needs. Through our Legacy Concierge™ service, you’ll have ongoing support to keep your health care directive and other documents up-to-date as your life evolves. Combined with Legacy Vault™, which securely stores your essential documents for easy access, our Legacy Engineering™ approach ensures your health care preferences are protected and your voice is always heard. Contact us today to book an introductory call, and let’s start designing a legacy that will endure for generations.