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Most people misunderstand the meaning and purpose of an Advance Directive. It is actually a tool meant to give you, the patient, the most control possible over your medical treatment if you become unable to communicate. Many people avoid dealing with the choices associated with severe illness and death. The end of life can be frightening and bewildering, especially to one who is very ill. Trusted loved ones can be confused, overburdened and upset; or worse, they may be unavailable in an emergency. That is why it is so important you are reading this now, before the need for an Advance Directive arises, so that you may plan for undefinable future events.
While Advance Directive documents are yours, directing your care, they are also for your family and friends. We should all have the ability to preserve our dignity and choice of medical treatments for ourselves. Advance Directives will also protect your family from being placed in the position of having to guess what types of care you might have wanted.
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