Future Planning

Understand what a living will is, and hear some common questions you should consider while creating your own.

Understand why you should legally appoint someone to make medical decisions for you, if you should ever be unable to communicate them yourself.

Understand the emotional, financial and legal advantages of creating this important document.

Watch these common tips for making sure your advance directive is accessible to those who might need it, and how to update it as often as you wish.

By watching this video you will learn what to do and what not to do with an advance directive.

Watch this clip to learn about do not resuscitate (DNR) orders.

Watch this to learn about becoming an organ donor.

Watch this to understand how making your wishes known now can make it easier for everyone later.

Watch this to learn about physician orders for life-sustaining treatment.

You may hear about a do-not-resuscitate order as you near the end of your life. Or, if you legally represent someone who's near death but cannot make medical decisions, you may be asked about one. We also call it a "DNR order." It's a legal document written by a doctor, but it's only created if you agree to it.

You may hear about a medical orders for scope of treatment form as you near the end of your life. Or, if you legally represent someone who's near death but cannot make medical decisions, you may be asked about one. We call it a "MOST" form. It's a legal document that lets you keep control of your medical care.

Resuscitation refers to the methods used to try to restart the heart and lungs if they stop working. If you have a serious illness, your healthcare provider will likely talk to you and your loved ones about resuscitation and other treatments you may need in the future. Read on to learn more about resuscitation and what you need to know when deciding about this treatment.

When you have a serious illness, your doctor will review treatment options with you as your illness progresses. Some of these treatments help support or sustain life if your body can no longer perform certain functions on its own. Artificial hydration is one such treatment.

When you have a serious illness, your healthcare provider will review treatment choices with you as your illness progresses. Artificial feeding is one such treatment. It supplies artificial nutrition to your body if you can no longer take in food by mouth. This sheet tells you more about artificial feeding as an option.

Certain treatments can help sustain life when you have a serious illness. But as your illness progresses, there may come a time when these treatments are no longer a benefit. You must then decide whether to continue or stop these treatments.

A healthcare proxy represents another person when that person can't speak for himself or herself. The name of this role varies by state. It may be called a Durable Medical Power of Attorney or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

An advance medical directive is a form that lets you plan ahead for the care you'd want if you could no longer express your wishes. This statement outlines the medical treatment you'd want or names the person you'd wish to make healthcare decisions for you. Be aware that laws vary from state to state, and it may be worthwhile to talk with an attorney.

A durable power of attorney for health care is only as good as the person you name to be your agent. If this person knows your treatment wishes and is willing to carry them out, you'll probably be well-represented. Be sure to tell your agent what's important to you.

If you understand how specific treatments may affect your quality of life, you can decide which ones you'd choose or refuse. You may want to talk to your healthcare provider about the possible benefits and risks of treatments.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders tell hospital staff not to perform potentially life-saving measures, such as CPR, if the person's heart and lungs stop working.

A time may come when the only outcome from the therapies that prolong life is the prolonging of suffering, with no chance of meaningful recovery. At that point, you may choose to talk with the healthcare provider and ask that life support be removed.

Often it's hard to know which medical treatment choices you might face. Would you rather let someone you trust decide for you? A durable power of attorney for health care lets you name an agent to carry out your wishes. This happens only if you can't express your wishes yourself.