Health Care Directive Planning
A health care directive is a written document that informs others of your health care wishes. It allows you to name a person, or agent, to make decisions for you if you are unable to do so. In Ohio, “advance directives” is the term used to describe three types of legal documents you can complete to express your wishes regarding your future health care:
(1) a durable power of attorney for health care (POA),
(2) a declaration for mental health treatment, and
(3) a living will.
An advance directive can be an important tool for you as a consumer of mental health and other disability services to guide your care should your attending physician determine that you lack capacity to make your own health care choices. An advance directive is useful if you become unable to adequately communicate your health care wishes. The directive guides your doctor, family and friends regarding your care at a time when you are not able to provide that information. While you do not have to create an advance directive, a directive will help you get exactly the care you would like, particularly near the end of your life when your interests may not be the same as those who survive you.
Luftman, Heck & Associates can provide assistance in preparing a health care power of attorney, durable financial power of attorney and living will to be used in the event your physical condition prevents you from making important health care decisions. Adequate planning will make certain that you have a designated individual to whom is authorized to make health care and financial decisions for you in the event of a disability; Doing so will save your family members much time and money and avoid the need for a guardianship to be established through complex legal procedures in the event of a health crisis.
