Wake North Carolina Legal Guide to Advance Directives for Health Care is a comprehensive resource that provides detailed information and guidance on creating and understanding advance directives in the state of North Carolina. This guide aims to empower individuals to exercise control over their future medical decisions and ensure that their wishes are honored even if they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to outline their preferences regarding medical treatments and end-of-life care. They serve as a way to communicate one's desires to healthcare professionals and loved ones, ensuring that their wishes are respected. Wake North Carolina Legal Guide to Advance Directives for Health Care highlights the importance of expressing these preferences in writing in order to avoid potential confusion or disputes that may arise during critical health situations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of advance directives, including the different types available in North Carolina. Some common types mentioned include: 1. Living Will: This document allows individuals to specify the medical treatments they would like to receive or refuse in the event they become terminally ill or incapacitated. 2. Health Care Power of Attorney: This document designates a trusted individual (the agent) to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual if they are unable to do so themselves. It includes detailed instructions on the agent's role and responsibilities. 3. Combined Advance Directive: This type of directive combines elements of both the living will and health care power of attorney, allowing individuals to provide specific instructions while also designating a healthcare agent. 4. Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: This is a separate advance directive that instructs healthcare providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of cardiac arrest. The Wake North Carolina Legal Guide to Advance Directives for Health Care offers step-by-step instructions on creating these documents and highlights the legal requirements in North Carolina. It explains the importance of discussing these directives with family members, healthcare providers, and the appointed agents. Additionally, the guide provides clarification on complex legal terms and addresses frequently asked questions related to advance directives. In summary, Wake North Carolina Legal Guide to Advance Directives for Health Care is a valuable resource for residents of North Carolina seeking to understand and create advance directives. By offering comprehensive information, explanation of legal requirements, and guidance on different types of advance directives, this guide aims to ensure that individuals' healthcare wishes are respected and followed in critical medical situations.