Advance Directives are written instructions that tell others (especially health care professionals) which medical treatments people do or do not want. These may include the use of a ventilator (breathing machine), artificial feeding (tube through the stomach), and other types of medical treatments. Advance directives become effective only when the person cannot speak for him or her self. This may be because the person is too ill or mentally unable to make decisions. Advance directives cover two basic kinds of information:
1.  The kinds of treatments that your family member does or does not want.
2.  Who will be the person who can make health care decisions if your family member is unable to do so.

Here are the most common forms of advance directives:

• Health Care Proxy-A form that allows a person to name someone else (known as a health care agent) to make health care decisions on his or her behalf. This is done by completing a Health Care Proxy form. Each state has its own laws and regulations regarding decision makers. To find out about the laws in your state, contact your state’s Department of Health.

• Living will-A living will is a written description of what kind of medical treatments a person would or would not want in the future. The living will and written instructions on the Health Care Proxy form have similar goals, but the State-approved form is likely to carry more weight with health care professionals.

• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order-DNR allows a person to make a health care choice about one specific treatment…resuscitation. It is used when people stop breathing or their heart stops. The DNR order tells the health care team that the patient does not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (also called “CPR”). Here are some facts to know about the DNR order:

• The DNR order must be signed by a doctor.
• As a family caregiver, you may also be asked to sign the order.
• The DNR is valid even if there is no health care proxy.
• If a DNR order was signed in one facility, for example a hospital, it does not automatically mean it will be valid in another. You need to find out whether a new DNR order needs to be signed or if the existing order can be transferred and how.

Related articles

• Informing Consumers About Advance Directives and Health Care Proxies (hcfama.org)
• Tattooed Instructions for Your Doctor (vp-medical.com)