An advance health care directive is an estate planning document that provides guidance regarding medical treatment. Individuals who experience incapacitation or medical emergencies can rely on their advance directives to guide the care that they receive.
People can provide clear instructions ahead of time that allow others to make decisions that align with their values. Technically, any adult with specific medical preferences could benefit from establishing an advance health care directive. However, there are certain scenarios in which people feel more compelled to draft advance directives. What may inspire people to plan for their medical care in the event of incapacity?
1. A major medical challenge
Individuals recently diagnosed with serious conditions may be quite vulnerable. They could have a poor response to treatment or experience the sudden progression of their condition.
Health care professionals often advise those beginning treatment for serious medical challenges to establish an advance healthcare directive before treatment begins. Providing guidance about everything from anatomical gifts to pain management and life support can help people feel empowered while facing medical challenges.
2. Impending retirement
Individuals thinking about life after retirement often have to consider somewhat gloomy scenarios. In addition to planning for their death, people preparing for retirement may also need to plan for the possibility of a medical emergency or long-term incapacitation. Health challenges are all but inevitable as people age, and those preparing for their golden years often try to create robust estate plans.
3. Strong personal preferences
Some people feel very passionately about certain health care matters. For example, there are those for whom certain types of care might violate their religious beliefs.
People may have medical preferences that differ from current best practices in the healthcare sector. Their wishes may be different from what their family members might prefer as well. Those with strong preferences may want to establish advance directives so that there is little question about what they prefer.
Drafting an advance directive can help provide people with support when they are at their most vulnerable and with peace of mind throughout adulthood. Robust estate plans can help people protect themselves from a variety of potentially difficult situations.
