Advance directive resources
An advance directive is a legal document that records your medical wishes in the event you are not able to make your own medical decisions. As long are you are able to coherently speak for yourself, your...
Your Medical Power of Attorney (POA) is someone you choose to make medical decisions for you in the event you are too critically ill to make your own decisions. Your POA is formally and legally named in...
Making an advance directive can seem overwhelming at first. However, once you learn some of the common terminology and become familiar with your necessary state forms, it is pretty straightforward. The...
What does it mean to be Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)?
The more informative question is, what does it look like to be resuscitated?
A resuscitation is attempted when your heart is not beating and you are...
THE ONE QUESTION YOUR FAMILY SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER ABOUT YOUR ADVANCE DIRECTIVE
“I would want to live as long as I could still ___.” This is one of the most critical questions to define your end-of-life...
What is a MOLST form?
A MOLST is a simple, two page form that provides medical orders for physicians to follow in case you are critically ill and not able to speak for yourself. In some states, a MOLST...
The first time many people think about their own end-of-life wishes is when they create their first Will and Testament with an estate attorney. The Will process usually results in some form of advance...
“My mother died earlier this year. It came as a complete surprise. She was in great shape. I mean, she was 88, but she was so healthy.”
I am sitting across the white exam room from...
I am sitting in my primary care office exam room facing my patient. I ask whether she has an advance directive. In a not so uncommon response, I hear a defiant “my family knows to pull the plug!”
In...
“My lawyer has all that” or “it’s in the safe!” is the answer I often get when I ask my patients whether they have an advance directive.
These words are often accompanied by a dismissive wave and tone...