Living wills as well as other advance directives that are legal guidelines about your preferences for medical treatment, are written. Advance directives offer guidance to caregivers and doctors if you're terminally sick, severely injured, in a state of an coma or last phases of dementia.

Advance directives don't only apply to older adults. Unexpected end-of-life situations can happen at any time, which is why it's essential for everyone to have these documents in place.

If you plan ahead, you can secure the medical care you want, avoid unnecessary suffering and help caregivers take off having to make decisions during times of grief or crisis. It also helps reduce confusion or disagreement about the decisions you'd want people to make on your behalf.

The power of attorney

The medical power of attorney, commonly known as a health care power of attorney is a type of advance directive that permits you to nominate someone to take your decision if you're not able to. In certain states, this type of directive is also known as an irrevocable living will in Halifax Nova Scotia for health care or a health care proxy.

Depending on where you live the person you decide to make decisions on your behalf may be referred to as any of these:

Health care agent

Health care proxy

Health care surrogate

Health care representative

Health care lawyers-in-fact

Patient advocate

It is crucial to choose the person who will serve as your agent in health care. Even if you have additional legal documents concerning your health care but not every situation can be predicted and some situations require someone else to assess the likely treatment plans. It is best to select a caregiver who meets the following criteria:

In accordance with the state requirements for a health-care provider

Are you not seeing your doctor? a member of your medical team

Willing and able discuss medical and end-of-life concerns with you

You can trust us to make decisions that adhere to your wishes and values

Can be trusted to be your advocate if there are disputes about your health care

You can choose a spouse, friend, or someone from a faith group as the person you select. You can also select one or more alternatives in the event that the person you select cannot fulfill the role.

Living will

A power of attorney in Halifax Nova Scotia document, also known as a legal document, describes the treatments you want and don't want to have to be using to keep you alive. It also describes your preferences for medical decisions , such as organ donation or the management of pain.

When deciding on your goals take a look at your values. Think about how important it is for you to be self-reliant and self-sufficient, and identify what circumstances might make you feel like your life is not worth living. Would you like to undergo treatment that would improve your life? Any situation? Do you only seek treatment for a specific condition if there's a solution?

Preparing advance directives

The advance directives need to be in writing. Every state has its own requirements and forms to make legal documents. Depending on where you live the form you are submitting may have to be signed by a witness or notarized. It is possible to ask a lawyer to assist you through the procedure, however it is generally not necessary.

Modifying and reviewing advanced directives

The directives you provide can be modified at anytime. It is possible to make changes by preparing an entirely new form and then distributing duplicate copies. Each state could have their own rules regarding the revision of directives.

It is recommended to discuss any the changes with your primary care physician and ensure that a new directive replaces an old directive in your medical file. The new directives should also be added to the medical records in a hospital or nursing home. Additionally, you should inform your health care professional, family and friends about changes you have made.