Your Advance Directive: Step 1 – Think About It
Reflect on what matters most to you when it comes to your health. Consider your values, beliefs, and what quality of life means to you. Imagine different scenarios and decide your preferences for treatments and interventions. Who would you trust to carry out your wishes and honor your decisions?
Choosing a Health Care Agent
A healthcare agent, also known as a healthcare proxy, is the person you trust to make medical decisions if you cannot do so. Think of them as your voice in critical moments, ensuring your healthcare wishes are respected and followed.
- Trustworthy: Select someone you trust to make important decisions during critical times.
- Communicative: They should be able to discuss your wishes with healthcare providers and family members.
- Willing and Available: Ensure they are willing to take on this responsibility and can be reached in emergencies.
Who Can Be Your Healthcare Agent?
1. Family Members:
- Spouse
- Adult children
- Siblings
- Parents
2. Close Friends:
- Someone who knows you well and understands your values and wishes
3. Legal Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Should not be your attending physician or an employee of the healthcare facility where you are being treated, unless they are related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption
- Cannot be someone you pay for healthcare services
Choosing Your Care
Take control of your healthcare journey. It's not just about making decisions-it's about making the right decisions for you.
Here's how to ensure your medical treatment reflects your wishes:
1. Think About What You Want:
- Reflect on your healthcare values and preferences.
- What treatments do you want if you're unable to make decisions?
- How do you feel about being on a ventilator/breathing machine?
- How long will you want to be on the ventilator?
- Do you want a permanent feeding tube placed?
- Would you like pain management?
- Do you want to be on dialysis forever?
2. Identify Your Biggest Fears:
- Understand your concerns about medical treatments and end-of-life care.
- Are you worried about prolonged suffering, losing your independence, or being a burden to a loved one?
- Address these fears in your advance directive to ensure they are managed according to your wishes.
3. Set Your Goals for Declining Health:
- Define what quality of life means to you as your health declines.
- What are your priorities?
- Comfort, staying at home, or maximizing your remaining time with loved ones?
- Clearly outline these goals to guide your healthcare providers.
4. Decide Where You Want to Be:
- Choose your preferred setting for your final days.
- Would you like to be at home, in a hospice, or a hospital?
- Share your choice with your healthcare agent to ensure your environment aligns with your wishes for comfort and peace.
5. Document and Legalize Your Choices:
- Complete the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care form. Make sure it's signed and witnessed according to state laws to make your wishes legally binding.
6. Communicate and Share:
- Discuss your decisions with your health care agent, family members, and healthcare providers.
- Provide them with copies of your advance directive and keep the original in a safe but accessible place.
Additional resources:
Here are some videos to walk you through the process: