What are advance health care directives?
Advance health care directives are nothing more than written instructions to your loved ones and others about the type of medical treatment and health care you’d like to receive if you’re unable to communicate directly with your health care providers. Because these statements are made before the medical treatment and health care is actually needed, they are often referred to as “advance directives.” They are often referred to also as “health care instructions.
• “Advance health care directives” can include (1) a legal document that expresses your wishes concerning health care; and (2) a legal document that appoints an individual to express your health care wishes in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. I understand there are changes in Connecticut law regarding “advance health care directives” as of October 1, 2006. What if I have already completed Connecticut “advance care directives? Do the changes mean that I have to complete new forms? • While it is helpful to review and consider updating your “advance health care directives” on a regular basis, the changes in law which went into effect on October 1, 2006 specifically state that previously executed Connecticut forms remain valid.
