August 13, 2024
Most of us assume that we’ll always be in control of our healthcare decisions. Unfortunately, that can change at any moment, and at any age. A severe illness or an accident can unexpectedly impair our ability to make these critical choices.
If that happens, who would make your healthcare decisions for you? And would those decisions align with what you’d want for yourself? Writing down your healthcare wishes in advance is crucial. These are your “advance directives,” and there are two documents you need: a healthcare power of attorney and a living will. Both are legal documents that must be signed and witnessed.
Healthcare power of attorney
A healthcare power of attorney allows you to designate someone else to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. This person is called your healthcare proxy.
Consider who you would trust most to handle these decisions, because that person will be your primary healthcare representative. You might also think about a secondary choice in case your primary choice is unavailable. While it’s not mandatory to appoint a healthcare representative, doing so can offer flexibility. This person (or proxy) is legally bound to make decisions that align with your preferences, effectively extending your control over medical decisions.
Before appointing someone as your healthcare representative, discuss it with them and confirm they are willing to accept this responsibility. You’ll want to talk about your healthcare values and treatment preferences in detail with them.
Living will
A living will, or a healthcare directive, allows you to articulate your end-of-life care preferences about life-sustaining treatments. That might include CPR, dialysis, mechanical ventilation, and other similar interventions meant to prolong life.
Your living will should clearly state which treatments you would accept or refuse as you approach the end of life. Contrary to common belief, a living will isn’t only for refusing all life-sustaining treatments; it can also specify the treatments you do want.
Other advance directives in Illinois
Illinois law allows you to make two additional types of advance directives: a mental health treatment preference declaration, and a Practitioner Orders For Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), which is similar to the living will. Learn more and download the forms on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.
Sharing your advance directives
Once you’ve completed your healthcare power of attorney and your living will, be sure to give copies to your primary physician, the person you named as your healthcare proxy (and a secondary if you named one), your hospital, and any other relevant healthcare facility.
It’s also important to discuss the details of your living will with your family and close friends to prevent any surprises or disagreements about your wishes in critical situations. Having these documents will prevent disagreements among spouses, children, or other loved ones about your care. It will also greatly ease the burden on them during what is sure to be a stressful time.