What Is a Medical Directive?

Adults have the choice to accept or reject suggested medical treatment. A medical directive is a document that records your wishes should you become unable to express the choices yourself.

What is a Medical Directive

• Any person of legal age can record their wishes concerning any medical treatment such as artificial feeding or resuscitation. A proxy can also be nominated to make the medical decisions for the person who is unable to do so. Choices regarding organ donations can also be included.

When does is come into effect?

• This document will only be used once the person is mentally or physically unable to make decisions regarding medical treatment.

Record a Medical Directive

• This document must be legally binding and should have your signature and that of two witnesses. A copy must be given to your doctor as well as your proxy.

Update a Medical Directive

• If you have compiled your directive at a young age, your wishes and situation might change so it is important to regularly update your directive.

State Laws

• The directive is legal once you have signed it in front of two witnesses, but each state has different laws governing the process. The information regarding each state is available on the Internet.