Advanced Directive Checklist

What Are Advanced Directives?

Advanced directives is a written statement of a person's wishes regarding medical treatment, often including a living will, made to ensure those wishes are carried out should the person be unable to communicate them to a doctor.

Of course, this is often a vital component to consider for seniors living in nursing homes (and their families).

I’ve put together a checklist to aid folks in this process.

Thinking About Your Healthcare Wishes?

• Why am I writing an advanced directive?
• What are my treatment wishes in situations near the end of life?
• What are my treatment wishes in situations of serious injury and/or illness.

Talking With Others

• Discuss your considerations with other healthcare professionals
• Make sure you understand the medical terminology.
• Make sure you clearly communicate your wishes.
• Make sure to have a candid conversation with your closest friends and family.
• Make sure they clearly comprehend your wishes.

Selecting a Health Care Representative.

• Are you confident that your designated representative understands your personal values and healthcare wishes?
• Does your representative clearly understand his/her responsibilities?
• Has he or she clearly agreed to serve in this capacity and to properly communicate your wishes to your physician and to others who are invested in your care?
• Have you selected an alternative health care representative?

What Are Your Instructions

Have you clearly stated your instructions and included all relevant information about your specific treatment wishes, regarding:

• The provision, withholding or withdrawal of specific treatments?
• Artificially provided fluids and nutrition?
• The medical conditions in which you want your wishes implemented?
• Special considerations you may have regarding your care and treatment?

Witness

• Have you had your directive properly witnessed?

Distribution of Your Advanced Directive

 Have you given a copy of your advanced directive to those who should have one, such as:

• Your health care representative?
• Your physician or other healthcare provider?
• The hospital or nursing home?
• Your family members, friends, alternate representatives and your religious advisor?

Periodic Review

• Have you made a note to review your directive on a regular basis in the future?

Wallet Card

• Have you completed the wallet size card typically advocated, which tells others that you have an advanced directive and instructs them on who to contact for further information?

In the final analysis, a pro-active approach to this very important matter is the best and safest way to make your wishes known in advance so that there will be no confusion later on.