All adults should think about what their futures might hold. For some, this could include incapacitation. The problem is that nobody really knows if they will fall into that category. Because of this, it’s imperative that all adults have health care directives in place so they can receive the medical care they need.
There are several things that you should think about when you’re determining what to put into the health care directives. Consider the below factors when drafting yours.
Do you want to be resuscitated?
Resuscitative measures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and being placed on ventilators and ECMO machines to sustain life. Outline which, if any, resuscitation measures you’re willing to undergo. If you don’t want any of these, you need to get a “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) order in place.
What types of life-sustaining treatments would you like?
Balancing the quality of life with the longevity of time is important. Life-sustaining treatments, which include ventilators, dialysis and similar measures, should be discussed in your advanced directive. You should also consider whether you would want a feeding tube to provide parenteral nutrition so you can include those.
Who will make medical decisions for you if you can’t make them?
You can establish power of attorney for health care by naming a responsible person to carry out these duties. The person you choose should be able to make medical decisions for you without considering their own or others’ wishes.
It’s best to get your estate plan together as soon as possible so that you can rest assured that everything is in order if something happens to you. Your plan must meet the legal requirements and accurately reflect your wishes.
