Planning Ahead: Why Advance Directives Matter
Life is unpredictable. Accidents, injuries, or illnesses can happen at any time, leaving you unable to communicate your medical wishes. Imagine being in a serious accident and unable to express your treatment preferences. Are you prepared?
That’s where an advance directive (AD) comes in. It’s a vital legal tool that ensures healthcare preferences are known and respected, even when you can’t speak for yourself.
What Is an Advanced Directive?
An advanced directive is more than just a legal document. It’s your voice. It outlines your healthcare wishes and empowers your care team and loved ones to honor them. There are two main types of advance directives:
- Living Will (LW): Specifies the types of medical treatment you wish to receive or avoid in certain situations.
- Healthcare Power of Attorney (or Healthcare Proxy): Appoints a person to make decisions about your medical care if you cannot do so yourself.
A medical durable POA is especially simple to complete and plays a critical role in ensuring someone you choose—not the courts—can oversee decisions in a time of crisis.
Having an AD, LW, or POA in place may also alleviate confusion, uncertainty, or misunderstanding that your loved ones could experience if or when the time comes.
Understanding these documents and their implications is essential for everyone, regardless of their health status.
What Can You Include in an Advance Directive?
Your directive can stipulate things like:
- Life-sustaining treatment like mechanical ventilation
- Pain medication, even if it may affect mental acuity
- Tube feeding or hydration
- Cardiac resuscitation
- Treatments to limit based on your values
Why Advance Directive Planning Matters
- Your Wishes Are Respected
- One primary reason to have an advanced directive is to ensure your healthcare preferences are respected. Articulating your wishes assures you can receive the type of care you desire.
- Reduces Stress and Conflict
- Advanced directives can significantly reduce the emotional burden on your family members during a crisis. With clear instructions, families can avoid the stress of making tough decisions and potential conflicts.
- Improves Quality of Care
- Communicating your wishes enables healthcare providers to tailor treatments that align with your preferences, improving your quality of life during critical times.
- Provides Legal Protection
- Advance directives are legal guidelines for health care providers and family members. They ensure that your wishes are known and legally protected.
How to Create an Advanced Directive
- Reflect on your values: What matters most to you in life and health care?
- Talk with your provider: Your primary care provider (PCP) can explain options and scenarios.
- Choose your healthcare proxy: Appoint someone you trust as your POA.
- Complete the legal documents: Follow your state’s requirements to make your directive valid.
- Communicate and share: Give copies of your advance directives to your proxy, family, and healthcare providers.
How to Get Started
Don’t wait until it’s too late—advance directive planning is something everyone should consider now, while you can still speak for yourself. It’s not just for the elderly or those with chronic illness.
Start by discussing your wishes with your family and your PCP. Your provider would be happy to guide you through the process and help you create a plan that aligns with your goals.
Even better: a scheduled visit to discuss advance directive planning is typically covered by Medicare and most insurance companies. It’s a simple step that brings clarity and peace of mind.
Then, find out about advanced directive laws and requirements in your state, which vary across the U.S. Many states provide printable forms and guidance to make the process easy. Colorado residents can also find helpful information at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website.
Once completed, remember to share your directive with everyone involved in your care and revisit it periodically to keep it up to date.
Protect Your Healthcare Preferences
Creating an advance directive is a proactive and empowering decision. It protects your healthcare preferences, supports your loved ones during difficult times, and gives you peace of mind knowing that your values will guide your care—even if you can’t voice them yourself.
If you haven’t completed these documents, consider scheduling a visit with your primary care provider to get started.
This article was reviewed by Suzanne Torris, MS, RN, FNP, and updated in July 2025.
