What are advance directives? Advance directives are legal
documents that state your wishes and plans for medical care.
These plans are made ahead of time in case you lose your ability
to make decisions for yourself. Advance directives can apply to
any medical decision, such as the treatments you want, and if
you want to donate organs. What are the types of advance
directives? There are many types of advance directives, and each
state has rules about how to use them. You may choose a
combination of any of the following: - Living will: This is a
written record of the treatment you want. You can also choose
which treatments you do not want, which to limit, and which to
stop at a certain time. This includes surgery, medicine, IV
fluid, and tube feedings. - Durable power of attorney for
healthcare (DPAHC): This is a written record that states who you
want to make healthcare choices for you when you are unable to
make them for yourself. This person, called a proxy, is usually
a family member or a friend. You may ch