What Advanced Directives are needed?
Advanced directives are statements made by a patient that describe the treatments that should or should not be given in the event a medical situation arises which requires a decision about therapy and the patient is unable to speak for him- or herself. Patients can be sure that their wishes are followed by executing advanced directives with the help of a lawyer. While laws vary in each state, a advanced directive should basically include information about the treatments you would or would not want at the end of life (such as the desire to avoid being placed on a respirator if there was no reasonable chance of long-term survival whoor good quality of life) and who is your health care proxy–the person who is authorized to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to do so. Click here to fill out a health care proxy. How does hospice help after the patient dies? Hospice offers ongoing contact and assistance for family members and friends for at least a year, providing educa
