Advance Directive

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What is an Advanced Directive?

A legal document that states a person's wishes about receiving medical care if that person is no longer able to make medical decisions because of a serious illness or injury.

What is an example of an advance directive?
A specific and common example of an advance directive is a “do not resuscitate” order (or DNR), which guides care only if your heart stops beating (cardiac arrest) or you are no longer breathing.

What are the most common 3 types of advance directives?
Types of Advance Directives

• The living will
• Durable power of attorney for health care/Medical power of attorney
• POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
• Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders
• Organ and tissue donation

What are the benefits of advance directives?
A simple, straightforward document called an advance directive allows you to express your wishes if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate.

An advance directive:
Gives your loved ones peace of mind.
Minimizes stress.
Reduces potential conflicts among family members.

To learn more about Advanced Directives, Power of Attorney, and Do No Resuscitate (DNR) visit this website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning-health-care-directives