Advance Health Care Directives

Advance Health Care Directives (AHCDs) are recommended to be completed by anyone over the age of 18. They vary slightly from state to state, but generally have two parts. 

One part designates a healthcare Power of Attorney (POA) as well as a secondary healthcare Power of Attorney. This is the single most important item the AHCD addresses. If an individual completes only one item, designating a healthcare power of attorney is the most important / valuable.

The second part designates instructions for health care. This includes the care an individual would want to receive or not want to receive in the event they are unable to make decisions for themselves. This does not mean medical personnel will follow these wishes as a set of orders, but it can help to guide the designated healthcare power of attorney (POA) in next steps.

If an individual isn’t ready to complete the AHCD in its entirety that’s okay. Having discussions about end of life and completing the documents that reflect these discussions can sometimes be emotionally activating and unsettling.

AHCD are recognized from state to state, but each state has its own AHCD. If you are feeling like you or your loved one are ready to begin having these meaningful discussions and document them using an AHCD, please familiarize yourself with the your state’s AHCD.