National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16.
By planning, you can get the medical care you want, avoid unnecessary suffering, and relieve caregivers of decision-making burdens during moments of crisis or grief.
Living wills and other advance directives are written, legal instructions regarding your preferences for medical care if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
Unexpected life situations can happen at any age, so all adults need to prepare these documents.
Advance directives need to be in writing and each state has different forms and requirements for creating legal documents.
Choosing one or two caregivers to make decisions for you in case you become unable is typically done.
Advance directives can change at any time. It is important to review them at times such as every new decade of your life, after the death of a loved one, after divorce, after a significant diagnosis or health concern, and after a significant decline in function.
It will be a relief for you and your caregivers to take steps that include having conversations and completing documents that will help you get the care that is tailored to your values.