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Senior care issues can often become complex when it comes to trying to determine the wishes of another person in regard to medical care. For this reason, many people opt for some type of advance directive. Advance directives are designed to allow the wishes of an individual to be known in case that person becomes unable to speak for themselves. Some types of advance directives also include the selection of a surrogate decision maker.

There are three main types of advance directives: living will, power of attorney, and health care proxy. Living wills specify the types of medical treatment that an individual desires, and can be general or specific. Health care by proxy documents designate an individual with the right to make medical decisions on behalf of another individual, and durable power of attorney, the most involved type of advanced directive, designates an individual with the right to make medical decisions, bank transactions, apply for disability, and make other types of related decisions on behalf of another person.

Most living wills are put into place so that an individual’s feelings and wishes when it comes to issues such as life support are made known. This takes the burden off of an individual’s family when and if it comes time to make this type of decision. Other types of living wills specify an individual’s wishes when it comes to other types of medical treatment, including CPR and pain relief.

Power of attorney and health care proxy documents both authorize an individual to make medical care decisions on someone else’s behalf. Power of attorney, however, allows for greater decision making on behalf of someone who is no longer able to make medical and/or financial decisions for themselves.

Advance directives are designed to eliminate the stress and uncertainty that faces those who have to make medical decisions for someone else and do not know their exact wishes. As such, they are an important part of any senior care plan.