Let’s be honest—most of us don’t love thinking about worst-case medical scenarios. But planning ahead can bring peace of mind, not just for you, but for your loved ones as well. If you ever become unable to communicate your healthcare wishes, who would make decisions on your behalf?
Would they know what you really want?
This is where an Advance Healthcare Directive comes in. In California, advance directives ensure that your medical preferences are honored and that a trusted person has the authority to make decisions for you, if necessary. Let’s break down why having an Advance Healthcare Directive is essential.
What Is an Advance Healthcare Directive?
An Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) is a legal document that lets you spell out your medical wishes and appoint someone—known as your healthcare agent—to make healthcare decisions for you if you can’t communicate them yourself.
This document covers a variety of important topics, including:
- Life-sustaining treatments: Do you want to be on a ventilator or receive CPR if your heart stops?
- Pain management: Should doctors prioritize comfort over aggressive treatments?
- Organ donation: Do you want to donate your organs after you pass?
- End-of-life care: What kind of interventions are you comfortable with?
Having an Advance Healthcare Directive ensures that your wishes are clear and legally recognized, reducing confusion and stress for your family.
Why You Need an Advance Healthcare Directive
As a Los Angeles and Palm Springs estate planning law firm, we’ve seen many people assume that their spouse or closest family member will automatically have the authority to make medical decisions for them. However, that’s not always the case. Without an Advance Healthcare Directive, doctors may need to rely on hospital policies or even involve the courts to determine who can speak for you.
Here’s why advance directives are a smart move:
- You stay in control. Even if you can’t speak for yourself, your wishes will be legally documented and followed.
- Your loved ones avoid unnecessary stress. Family members won’t have to guess what you would have wanted.
- You prevent family disputes. When there’s clear guidance, there’s less room for disagreements among relatives.
- You ensure timely medical care. Without an appointed decision-maker, delays in treatment can happen.
Advance Healthcare Directive vs. POLST: What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse an Advance Healthcare Directive with a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form. While both documents deal with medical preferences, they serve different purposes:
- An Advance Health Care Directive is a legal document that outlines your general healthcare wishes and names a health care agent. It is meant for all adults, regardless of their health status.
- A POLST form is a medical order that is intended for individuals with serious illnesses or those near the end of life. It provides specific instructions for emergency responders and health care providers about treatments like resuscitation and life support.
Think of it this way: An Advance Healthcare Directive is a broad roadmap for your care, while a POLST form is a doctor’s order for immediate medical treatment.
Advance Directives: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Being unable to make your own medical decisions is a scary situation to be in. To avoid it altogether, include an advance healthcare directive in your estate plan to ensure that you receive the care you want and that your loved ones aren’t left in the dark.
Our Palm Springs estate planning lawyer can help you create the necessary legal paperwork so that your wishes after death are honored.
If you don’t have an Advance Healthcare Directive in place, now is the time to create one. Best Coast Estate Law, P.C. has an estate planning lawyer in Burbank, CA, too, who can help you navigate the process and make sure your healthcare wishes are clearly documented and legally protected.
