An Advance Healthcare Directive identifies the person you nominate to be your agent to make healthcare decisions (or to direct your doctor whether to withdraw life support if you are in a coma and near death) at the time you are no longer able to do so (i.e., when you are deemed incapacitated). If your ability to make medical decisions diminishes – whether by way of dementia, unexpected coma or brain damage, or otherwise – hospitals and doctors will require those decisions be made by a nominated agent or court-appointed Conservator before they will take any actions regarding your care and comfort. This could delay surgery, prescribing of needed medications, or lead to resuscitation when not desired.

One spouse may not want to burden the other spouse with the responsibility of making decisions regarding their healthcare or they may believe their spouse will do what the spouse desires and not what the patient wants. If the person you appoint and nominate to make healthcare decisions upon your incapacity is not your spouse, your directions may be ignored unless you appointed them as your agent in an Advance Healthcare Directive.

The Advance Healthcare Directive can also specify how you want your personal decisions and your physical being handled during your incapacity or in the event of your death, including:

• Whether life saving measures should be taken
• Whether resuscitation measures should be taken
• The provisions and arrangements for any funeral or burial services
• Whether to maintain life support
• Whether you want cremation or burial
• The location to spread your ashes or bury your body
• Organ donation
• Cadaver donation
• Consent for scientific/research testing
• Whom is to have care and control of your pets
• Whom is to have care and custody of your minor children
• Where you are to live based on your level of care needed
• Other directions that you desire to make regarding your care, comfort, and treatment