An Advance Directive communicates to your medical team and family members your preferences for care if you are unable to make medical decisions (if you are unconscious or in a coma, for example). If you are admitted to the hospital, the hospital staff will talk to you about Advance Directives.
A good Advance Directive describes the kind of treatment you would want depending on how sick you are. For example, the directives would describe what kind of care you want if you have an illness that you are unlikely to recover from, or if you are permanently unconscious. Advance Directives usually tell your doctor that you do not want certain kinds of treatment. However, they can also state that you want a certain treatment no matter how ill you are.
When you decide to complete an Advance Directive, be sure to talk about it with those close to you. The conversation is just as important as the document.
Advance Directives can take many forms. Laws about Advance Directives are different in each state. You can get a copy of the Maryland Advanced Directives—Planning for Future Health Care Decision by calling the Department of Pastoral Care, or you may ask your nurse or patient advocate to contact us a 5-5842 from inside the hospital. We have been trained to explain and help you with the forms. If you have legal questions about your situation you should contact your own lawyer.
After you complete your Advance Directive you will want to give copies to family members and/or friends as well as your doctor. You will also want to bring a copy to the hospital if you become a patient.
Life threatening illness is a difficult subject to contemplate. If you plan now, however, your choices will be respected, and your loved ones will be relieved of some of the burden of decision making.
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