What are Advance Directives?
Advance Directives are a written document. This document is written while an individual still has the ability to make decisions. Advance Directives are written evidence of a person’s wishes regarding their health care at the end of life. This document would be used only when the doctor determines that your mental capacity will not allow you to make decisions. An Advanced Directive helps your family physician and the advocate you appoint in this document make decisions according to the wishes you have written. For further information talk with an Avalon Hospice employee or go to www.caringinfo.org 15. Are family members allowed regular visitations? Visitation is allowed any time, day or night. 16. Does the residence have private rooms? All of our 12 rooms are private and each one has a unique décor designed to provide a relaxing environment and includes a couch that can be used as a bed for overnight visitation. 17. Does Hospice do anything to prolong or speed up the dying process? No.
Advance directives are instructions to your family, medical providers and others about what kind of medical and nursing care you would want (or not want) if you were unable to give instructions. One common misuse of the term is to refer to advance directives as “advanced” directives; the correct term makes it clear that they are documents you prepare and sign in advance of the time you may need to give direction. What is a “living will?” A living will is simply one type of advance directives. A living will gives specific or general instructions as to the kinds of care to provide or withhold, and the type of conditions in which it should apply. Some states have specific requirements for living wills to be valid; Arizona’s requirements are very simple. What is a “health care power of attorney?” A health care power of attorney is different from a living will, because it names one or more persons to make medical decisions for the signer in the event of incapacity. While the living will giv
