Advance Care Directive

What is an Advance Care Directive?

An Advance Care Directive allows you to authorize another person to make medical and lifestyle decisions (such as living in a nursing home) on your behalf if you become unable to make those decisions for yourself.

An Advance Care Directive is the new document taking over from what used to be called a Power of Guardianship (sometimes called a Medical Power of Attorney).

An Advance Care Directive provides security to you to know that you have a person appointed should a decision need to be made for you.

If you don’t have an Advance Care Directive in place then the power to make important medical and lifestyle decisions may be made by a relative not of your choosing.

Who should you Appoint?

You should always appoint a close family member or trusted friend. The person you appoint could be making very important medical or lifestyle decisions, which could have a dramatic effect on the quality of your life.

What can be included?

This is a very personal part of the document and you can indicate what types of medical treatment you would like to have. Or alternatively not like to have. It is important that this is prepared carefully and correctly.