Getting Started

Consider your healthcare goals: What do you value most in life (e.g., independence, comfort, quality of life)?
Think about treatment preferences: What types of medical interventions would you want or not want (e.g., life support, resuscitation, feeding tubes)?
Reflect on spiritual or religious beliefs that may affect your care choices.

Life-sustaining treatments: Understand what treatments like ventilators, CPR, and dialysis involve, and decide whether you would want them under certain circumstances.
Palliative care: Learn about comfort care that focuses on reducing pain and improving quality of life rather than curing an illness.
Hospice care: Consider end-of-life care that supports you when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired.

Select someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself. Ensure this person understands your wishes and is willing to advocate for them.
Discuss your preferences with your chosen healthcare proxy, so they feel comfortable carrying our your wishes.

Living Will: This document specifies the types of medical treatments you do or do not want if you are incapacitated. It can include preferences for pain management, resuscitation, and life-prolonging measures.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: Formally appoint your healthcare proxy to make decisions on your behalf
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)/Do Not Intubate (DNI): If you don't want CPR or intubation, ensure you have a DNR/DNI order on file with you doctor and in your medical records.

Have open conversations with your family, friends, and loved ones about your healthcare preferences. This ensures they understand and respect your choices and can support your proxy if decisions need to be made.

Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about your wishes. Ask them to explain any treatments or outcomes you're uncertain about.
Ensure your advance directives are included in your medical records so they are easily accessible in an emergency.

As life circumstances or health conditions change, review and update your advance directives to reflect any new preferences. Significant events life a new diagnosis, changes in health, or family milestones are good times to revisit your plans.

Provide copies of your advance directives to your healthcare proxy, loved ones, and healthcare providers. Ensure they know where to find the original documents in case of an emergency.

Keep the originals in a safe, accessible place, and make sure your healthcare proxy and loved ones know where to find them.

While not required, consulting an attorney may be helpful to ensure your documents are legally sound and that all state-specific requirements are met.