What is an advanced medical directive?
An advanced medical directive is a legal document that gives someone the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of another person. This document is commonly referred to as a “living will” or “advance healthcare directive.” In the state of Pennsylvania, an advanced medical directive can be used by an incapacitated person to express their wishes regarding the medical care they would like to receive. This document allows the individual to maintain control over the medical decisions that will be made in the event that they become unable to make those decisions on their own. When creating an advanced medical directive, the person must specify the types of medical care they would want to receive, such as end-of-life care, resuscitation, pain management, treatment of a terminal illness, etc. They must also designate a healthcare proxy, who is a person of their choosing that will act as their legal representative to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated. It is important to note that the healthcare proxy will be legally bound to carry out the wishes stated in the directive. In Pennsylvania, an advanced medical directive must be signed and dated by the individual creating the document and by at least two witnesses. It is also important to keep in mind that an advanced medical directive is not valid until it is filed with the appropriate local court. It is recommended that the original copy is stored in a secure place and given to the designated healthcare proxy or family member.
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