When the time comes, advance directives help honor the wishes of your loved one...

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An advance directive is a legal document that outlines choices about being kept alive by artificial means when suffering from a terminal illness, permanent brain damage, or advanced dementia. Such documents are utilized when we lose decision-making capacity. While many of us have strong opinions about whether we would like to receive these types of treatments in an attempt to keep us alive, few of us actually take the steps to ensure that our wishes are honored.

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Studies have found that most of us would refuse to be kept alive by artificial means if we have dementia or a terminal illness*. Studies have also found that only 50% of terminally ill patients execute advance directives**. However, there are several easily completed documents that will allow loved ones to understand a patient's wishes regarding end-of-life care, even if the patient lacks decision-making capacity.

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The state of North Carolina recognizes two advance directive documents. Revised in 2007, they are the Heath Care Power of Attorney and the Living Will. These documents are legal when they are completed by an individual with decision-making capacity, signed by two witnesses, and notarized. There are also two medical orders recognized by North Carolina. They are the Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) forms. These forms are obtained from the physician or healthcare provider.

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