advanced medical directive
Certain illnesses like cancer and AIDS are not only deadly; they can also cause agonizing pain to the afflicted. Similarly, some mishaps can disable a victim or leave him or her in a comatose state. In critical situations like these, the sick and the suffering are usually not capable of deciding for themselves any longer. The decision-making more often than not is left to the patient’s doctors, caregivers and family. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you have an advanced medical directive, all your wishes and preferences about medical care can be upheld and carried out to the very end. This document essentially states the medical treatment you’d desire or the person you’d want to make health-related decisions for you if you could no longer convey your requests. An advanced medical directive or advanced directive should be written and normally requires planning by its maker. Undeniably, it is a sensible move that could significantly lessen the grief and expenses of the families left behind.