Faith-Based Advance Health Care Directive

Description

An Advance Health Care Directive (also called a ‘Living Will’) is a legally binding document made while a person has the mental capacity to do so. Making an Advance Health Care Directive is optional and some people may be happier to leave these decisions to others. However, there are advantages to making an Advance Health Care Directive.

• It informs your family, friends, health care professionals, and appointed proxy/proxies about your treatment wishes when you lack the capacity to make health care decisions.
• It gives you an opportunity to discuss your health care wishes with your physician, health care professionals, priest, minister, family members, or others.

Making an Advance Health Care Directive and letting your loved ones know about your wishes prior to a potentially stressful time is encouraged, as it can be very helpful to families who may struggle with health care decisions.