What is a personal health care directive? Does it do the same thing as a living will?
A personal health care directive gives another person (a proxy) authority to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. The document may state exactly what type of treatment you want to receive or it may leave those decisions to your proxy. A living will may simply state a general wish to die a dignified death or to be made comfortable and free from pain, but may or may not appoint someone to make medical decisions for you when you become incapacitated. (Please note that all health care directives and living wills contained in the LeanLegal site will allow you to appoint someone to make these decisions for you.) If you do not know anyone you trust to name as your health care proxy, it is still important to complete and finalize a health care directive which records your wishes. That way, your doctors will be authorized to give you the medical care you want.
