Making your own decisions about health care is a right guaranteed by the United States Supreme Court – even if your illness or injury render you unable to make these wishes known. An advanced directive is the best way to make sure you remain in control of the type of healthcare you receive and protect your dignity. It also helps relieve caregivers of the burden of deciding for you.

Definition of Advanced Directive
An advance directive is a written document stating how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill with no hope of improvement, or who you would like to make those decisions for you.

There are three types:
A durable power of attorney is a legal document stating who you want to make health care decisions for you.
A living will is a legal document that explains the kind of medical care you wish or do not wish to receive when seriously ill or injured with no hope of recovery.
A do-not-resuscitate order is a legal document that expresses your wish not to be resuscitated in the event you stop breathing and your heartbeat stops.

For more information, go to:
http://www.michbar.org
http://www.uslivingwillregistry.com

To download Michigan’s Advanced Directives go to:
http://www.caringinfor.org

The Five Wishes document developed by the nonprofit organization Aging With Dignity is a living will that addresses all needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. It is written in plain language, and helps families discuss this difficult topic. For more information or to order the document, go to:
http://www.agingwithdignity.org

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