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What happens if I don't have an advance directive? If you don't have an advance directive and become unable to make medical decisions by yourself, you could be given medical care that you would not have wanted. If there's no advance directive, the doctor may ask your family about your treatment.

What to include in your advance directive: The name and contact information of your healthcare agent or proxy. Answers to specific questions about your preferences for care if you become unable to speak for yourself. The forms and questions asked vary a bit from state to state.

An advance directive encompasses all legal orders which concern your wishes surrounding future medical care. The document will come into play in the case of severe medical situations in which you're not able to communicate your wishes or make decisions. These may include such conditions as a coma, stroke or dementia.

Advance Directive for Health Care Must either be signed by two witnesses or notarized. If you choose to have the document witnessed, neither of your witnesses may be: your health care agent. your health care provider.

Current thinking about advance care planning reveals it to be composed of behaviors including clarification of values; communication among patients, surrogates, and clinicians; and completion of written directives.

So what's the difference between an advance directive and a living will? The short answer is that a living will is a type of advance directive, while advance directive is a broad term used to describe any legal document that addresses your future medical care.

There are two main elements in an advance directivea living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. There are also other documents that can supplement your advance directive. You can choose which documents to create, depending on how you want decisions to be made.