An advance healthcare directive allows you, while you are healthy and competent, to make the decision about the type of end of life care you want. Having an advance healthcare directive in place could remove the burden from your family members when a very difficult choice needs to be made regarding your care because you’ve already made your wishes known in writing. Most people include an advance healthcare directive as a part of their overall estate plan, whether they are young, old or ill. It is important to know that a directive is used when you cannot make healthcare decisions for yourself. Look at the directive as instructions to your loved ones, family members and physicians about the type of care you want if and when you have a terminal or irreversible condition from which you are not expected to recover. If you do not have an advance directive and you are unable to make decisions on your own, the state laws where you live will determine who makes medical decisions on your behalf. Keep in mind, the laws from state to state differ.

It is also important to know that an advance healthcare directive is not the same thing as a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).