Planning your health care may not always feel urgent, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wishes are respected and understood at the time of an emergency.

Care planning is not just for those facing a serious illness; it’s something every adult should consider.  

What is an Advance Directive?

Advance directives are written instructions that let medical staff and your loved ones know the kind of medical care you want if you are seriously ill or dying and become unable to make decisions about your health.

This may include guidance on:

• Life Sustaining Treatments
• Organ Donation
• End-Of-Care Wishes

Advance directives, like a living will, alleviate difficult family dynamics at end-of-life. By proactively setting up an Advance Directive, you outline wishes that will be honored upon your passing.

Why It Matters

Unexpected medical situations can happen at any time; families are often asked to make difficult decisions quickly, sometimes without knowing what their loved one would have wanted.

An advance directive provides clarity and helps remove that uncertainty, allowing your loved ones to focus on supporting you rather than making difficult decisions on your behalf.

Starting the Conversation

Talk with your loved ones about what matters most to you — your values and your preferences for care. These conversations don’t have to feel overwhelming; they can start small and grow over time.

Taking the Next Step

Creating an advanced directive is an important first step, and understanding the medical decisions involved can be challenging. Consider discussing your wishes with your primary care provider, who can explain your options and ensure your preferences are clearly documented. In some cases, an advanced directive can be completed alongside a Physician Orders for Life-Sustain Treatment (POLST) form; this provides more specific guidance on specific medical treatment such as feeding tubes and resuscitation. The POLST form must be signed by a physician or advanced practice provider.

Visit the PREPARE™ for Your Care website to learn about medical decision making, how to discuss your wishes with your loved ones and medical providers, and fill out an online advance directive form.

Bradley Gray, MD is a board-certified family medicine physician, serving as a hospitalist offering care for patients within Barton Memorial Hospital. Learn more about Advance Directives, or find templates, at BartonHealth.org.