What is a health care directive?

A health care directive is a legal document in South Carolina that outlines a person’s wishes regarding their healthcare in the event that they are unable to make decisions for themselves due to illness or incapacity. A health care directive, sometimes called a living will, is a set of instructions that a person would want their health care providers to follow should they become incapacitated and unable to make decisions for themselves. A health care directive can include instructions regarding types of treatments that are acceptable, such as whether to administer artificial nutrition or resuscitation. It can also give directions about pain relief and the kinds of treatments that the person would like to receive and preferences for end-of-life care. It can also be used to designate someone as a proxy who is responsible for making decisions on the behalf of the person who is incapacitated. Elder law attorneys in South Carolina can provide guidance and help individuals create a legal health care directive that will ensure their wishes are followed in the event of an emergency. It is important to ensure that the health care directive is legally binding and adheres to the laws of the state. Without proper documentation, medical personnel may be unable to follow the instructions of the incapacitated person and make decisions based on the perceived best interests of the patient.

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What is a health care directive?

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