Advance Directives
Advance directive is a term that refers to your spoken and written instructions
about your future medical care and treatment. It is a collection of documents
that spell out what treatments you do or do not want. These papers only
discuss medical treatment and are not the same thing as legal or financial
documents such as a power of attorney.
There may come a time when you or a family member is seriously injured
or very ill and difficult decisions about giving or withholding medical
care must be made. Every competent adult has the right to accept or refuse
any recommended medical treatment, and documenting your health care choices
before you are sick or injured helps your family and physician understand
your wishes.
