An advance directive is a legally-recognized document that dictates the medical treatments a person wants (or does not want) in the event they are incapacitated and unable to communicate. They are commonly referred to as living wills.
There are a few myths that should be disregarded:
1. Doctors will follow my living will despite my wishes.
If you can communicate, doctors will follow your wishes no matter what.
2. If I have a living will, doctors will let me die, even if they can save me.
Doctors will do what they can to save people. Living wills usually come into play when the person is in a permanent state, like a coma. However, Do Not Resuscitate Orders often tell doctors not to save a person in the event of, say, heart
failure. However, they are only filled out for those in the last stages of their life.
3. Living wills prevent my family from making decisions for me.
In fact, living wills can identify family members to make decisions for you. And when a decision needs to be made regarding something not in your living will, doctors will consult your family.
If you just moved, make sure to create a Living Will in your new state.
