What is a health care directive and how does it work?

A health care directive is a document that outlines your wishes for your health care should you ever be unable to make decisions for yourself. It outlines who you would like to make decisions about your health care in the event that you become unable to make those decisions on your own. In the state of Maryland, there are two types of health care directives: a Living Will and a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. A Living Will is a statement that outlines the kinds of medical treatments you do or do not want to receive if you become unable to express such wishes for yourself. It specifies the types of treatments you want to receive or decline, such as life-sustaining treatments, pain control, organ donation, or the use of artificial nutrition or hydration. A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care also allows you to designate someone else to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to make them for yourself. This person must be someone you trust, such as a family member or close friend, and they must understand your wishes concerning your health care. The person you designate will be able to make decisions about health care treatments, diagnostic tests, admission to a hospital, and other health care matters on your behalf. In Maryland, a health care directive must be signed in the presence of two witnesses or a notary public to be recognized as valid. It is important to keep copies of your health care directive in an easily accessible place so that your wishes are known should the need arise.

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What is a health care directive and how does it work?

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