About Advance Directives
You may want to involve loved ones, health care providers, or lawyers as you prepare an advance directive. This ensures everyone completely understands what you have written, just as you intended it. You can change or cancel an advance directive at any time, as long as you are deemed sound of mind. Changes expressed in writing or verbally in a hospital typically supersede earlier directives.

Planning and preparing offer you and your loved ones peace of mind that your wishes will be met. As you and your loved ones look into options regarding long term care, choose a time when you all can focus on the conversation. Experts recommend allowing everyone to share their reactions and encourage family members not to take one another’s reactions personally.

Advance directives are important planning tools that provide greater control over future care decisions. These documents outline and protect your care preferences in the event that you are unable to express them yourself. These documents guide your loved ones and health care providers by specifying what treatments you do or do not want to receive. It lets you set your own care terms. You decide how, or even if, you wish to be treated in various scenarios. All adults, not just older adults or those with serious medical conditions, should complete advance directives.

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