Family members, including spouses and children, often do not know how to react appropriately during a sudden medical emergency. Some people never discuss uncomfortable topics, such as their health care preferences during incapacitation.
Others may have had those conversations previously. However, the stress of a family emergency could easily prevent close loved ones from recalling exactly what the incapacitated person wanted. The disagreements that arise could result in damaged familial relationships or an individual receiving the wrong types of care.
An advance medical directive allows an adult to plan in advance for the possibility of a personal medical emergency in the future. What does a legally compliant advance directive in New Jersey include?
An instruction directive
When people think of advance directives, an instruction directive or living will is often what they imagine. This document goes into detail regarding an individual’s medical preferences.
They may provide guidance on matters such as life support and pain management. They can provide clear terms regarding anatomical gifts. In cases where individuals have strong medical wishes because of chronic health conditions, personal values or religious beliefs, an instruction directive can make their wishes clear to their closest loved ones.
A proxy directive
Also known as a durable power of attorney for health care, a proxy directive names someone to make medical choices. The proxy nominated in the paperwork has the authority to act on behalf of another adult should that adult become incapacitated.
People often draft proxy directives when they do not have a spouse or when they believe that their spouse could struggle with the stress of managing their medical emergency. A proxy directive can also be beneficial on the off chance that an individual becomes incapacitated in an incident that also involves their spouse.
It is possible to establish an instruction directive without a proxy directive. People can also draft durable medical powers of attorney and leave the decision-making to the person they empower. Every adult thinking about the possibility of a medical emergency has to decide for themselves what issues they need to address and what support they require. Drafting advance medical directives can empower people to act appropriately and can give adults peace of mind as they go about their lives.