Importance of Having Health Care Directives

No one plans on becoming seriously sick. After all, we do so much to prevent illness or poor health whether that is through a healthy diet, exercise, or general preventative care. However, sometimes things happen in life for no particular reason. For that reason, it is extremely important to set forth your own health care decisions in the event that you are no longer able to do so. Having a power of attorney for health care or a living will can ensure that your wishes regarding your health are carried through when you are no longer able to make those decisions for yourself. Contact our Nashville based lawyers at The Higgins Firm for your living will or power of attorney for health care.

What Is a Health Care Directive?

A health care directive is a written legal document that outlines your wishes or designates someone to make decisions for certain medical treatments in the event that you are incapacitated or otherwise unable to make decisions for yourself. Specifically, a living will sets forth your wishes for life sustaining care in the end stages of a terminal illness. A power of attorney for health care designates a person to make decisions regarding your care in the event that you are unable to do so.

What Is the Importance of Having a Health Care Directive?

The decision as to what type of treatment you receive in the most dire circumstances can be a very personal decision. It is a decision that often can have life or death implications. You want to ensure that these important decisions are made in accordance with your wishes. These decisions are obviously difficult and can often be stressful for anyone else trying to determine what would be best for you in a particular situation. By having a health care directive, you are able to set forth your specific wishes while limiting any potential stress on loved ones who may be struggling with a difficult decision.

Who Should You Choose as Your Health Care Agent?

A power of attorney for health care appoints a person to make health care decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so. The person you choose to be your health care agent should be someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf, including a family member or close friend. This person should be someone who will make decisions the way that you would want them to be made. It understandably can be difficult for a family member to end life support of someone they love or to continue life support for someone who may be suffering. You should choose someone who would not let their own personal beliefs or emotions to interfere with their ability to make a decision. In addition, you should choose someone that lives relatively close in the event that something does happen and they are needed.

Contact The Higgins Firm for your Health Care Directive

If you have questions about a living will or a power of attorney for health care, contact one of our Nashville estate planning lawyers. At The Higgins Firm, our team of Nashville attorneys would be happy to help answer any of those questions related to a living will, power of attorney, or any other estate planning documents.