What is a health care directive?

A health care directive is a legal document that lets you communicate your wishes in advance about end-of-life medical treatment. It is part of Florida’s elder law, which is a set of laws that addresses the unique issues of elderly citizens. A health care directive is sometimes called an advance directive, living will, personal directive, or health care power of attorney. With a health care directive, you can choose someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. This gives you control over the type of medical care you receive and allows your loved ones to be in charge. You can also put instructions in your directive to describe the specific types of medical treatment you do or do not want to receive. Additionally, a health care directive can help you explain how you want your doctor to make decisions about when and where to provide care. This can be especially important for end-of-life medical decisions, such as deciding whether to continue medical care or stop it. Although a health care directive isn’t legally required in Florida, it’s a valuable tool for ensuring that your wishes are carried out. Talking through your choices with your family and health care providers before you make your decisions can make it easier for everyone involved.

Related FAQs

What is a living trust?
What are the different types of trusts?
What is a spendthrift trust?
What is elder financial abuse?
What is the difference between long-term care insurance and health insurance?
What is a living probate?
How do I plan for a supported living arrangement?
What is Medicaid eligibility?
What is a life estate deed and how does it work?
What are the legal rights of the elderly?

What is a health care directive?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts