Considering our own death is one of life’s most difficult challenges. Yet, it is crucial to carefully plan the medical treatment we would want during that time. Medical technology can now prolong life long after the quality of that life has diminished.
About thirty years ago, legal rulings established patients’ rights to decide when life support should be withdrawn. The fear of being kept alive indefinitely by artificial means led many to create advance directives. An advance directive is a legal document that expresses your wishes regarding medical treatment ahead of time—whether you want life-sustaining measures or prefer to pass naturally when life no longer holds meaning. It’s wise to create this document well before facing end-of-life decisions.
Do Advance Directives Really Work?
The simple answer is: yes, but with caveats. Advance directives are essential for appointing trusted agents or proxies who can communicate your wishes when you cannot. However, challenges remain:
- Healthcare is complex and unpredictable. Managing every medical detail in advance is nearly impossible. Treatments depend on the unique situation and often require a team of specialists.
- Generic forms are often too simplistic. “Check-the-box” documents rarely capture the nuances of individual preferences.
- People adapt and find new meaning in different circumstances. What seems unacceptable in good health might feel different when facing the reality.
- Prognoses can change. For example, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, some seniors’ directives against ventilators led to denial of life-saving care due to assumptions about fatality rates (Kaiser Health News).
- Documents must be accessible. They need to be available both at home and with agents—hidden or forgotten paperwork is useless when needed most.
The Best Approach: Document + Conversation
Creating a legally sound advance directive is essential, but it must be backed by thorough conversations with your appointed agents or proxies. Discuss your values, what quality of life means to you, and how you want your care handled—without obsessing over every hypothetical scenario.
These conversations empower your agents to make informed, compassionate decisions when circumstances are unforeseen. Useful resources to guide these talks include The Conversation Project and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What If You Don’t Have a Trusted Agent?
If you are alone or lack a trusted person to act as your agent, start by reviewing the guidance from these resources. Then, create a legally effective advance directive clearly stating your wishes. Finally, share this document with your healthcare provider and keep copies accessible.
Also, consider carrying a wallet card to alert medical professionals about your healthcare proxy. The American Hospital Association provides a printable card here.
Plan Now for Peace of Mind
Death is the only certainty in life. Preparing with trusted agents and clear conversations ensures your care aligns with your values and that your loved ones can act confidently on your behalf. Advance directives are not just paperwork—they are a gift of clarity and compassion.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you’d like to discuss your particular situation, please contact us or call our Sherwood or Searcy offices at 501-834-2070 to schedule a consultation. We look forward to assisting you with thoughtful advance care planning.