Plan for Rough Water with Advance Directives

April 2014

Diane G. Miller Associate General Counsel

State Education Assistance Authority Phone: (919) 248-4669   

dmiller@ncseaa.edu

What are advance directives?

• Legal documents that state your health care preferences in writing

• Speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself

• Provide instructions about what kind of medical care you want

Types of advance directives

• Living will -- Declaration of a desire for a natural death

• Health care power of attorney• Advance instruction for mental

health treatment• Declaration of anatomical gift -

organ donation

Why make advance directives?

• Exercise your right to make decisions about your own treatment

• End of life decisions are difficult even when you are healthy

• Making decisions during a medical emergency makes it even more stressful

• Act now so that your decisions are deliberate, informed and reflect your wishes

• Reduce the burden on your family and friends

What is a living will? • One type of an advance directive• States choices you would make

for yourself if you were unable to communicate

• Gives instructions about the kind of life-prolonging medical care you want if you become unable to make your own decisions

What is a health care power of attorney?

• Another type of advance directive• Allows someone else to make

decisions about your medical care if you are unable to make your own decisions

• Not limited to end of life decisions• Generally more useful than a living will• You must have another person you

trust to make decisions for you

Communicate about your advance directives

• Talk with your family and friends about your advance directives

• Make sure your family and friends know your preferences

• Explain the reasons behind your choices

• Share your thoughts with people who you love and trust

• https://www.secretary.state.nc.us/ahcdr/• From the home page click on FORMS in the

left column

• A list of standard forms to prepare your advanced directives can be found in the center of the page

• Forms are in PDF and Word format• Click the icons to select your

format

• Forms are in PDF and Word format• Click the icons to select your

format

Where is your advance directive? 

• Give a copy to your primary health care provider and a trusted family member or friend

• You may register your advance directives with the SOS• http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/ahcdr/• $10 fee per document• To access the documents, a person must

enter a unique file number and password