Planning with purpose: Advance directives
At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we understand that making decisions about your future healthcare can be difficult. That's why we offer expert guidance on advance directives and compassionate support through our pastoral care services. We guarantee that your personal wishes will be respected and that your values will always come first.
Advance directives provide a clear and legally binding way to communicate your medical preferences in situations where you may not be able to speak for yourself.
We approach each advanced directive with the highest level of care and professionalism, recognizing the profound importance of these decisions in preserving the sanctity of life and honoring your unique values.
Advance Directives Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're outlining treatment options or choosing a healthcare proxy, we are here to guide you through the process with expert knowledge and support, making sure that your wishes are accurately documented and honored.
What are advance directives?
An advance directive is a document written in advance of a severe illness stating your choices about medical treatment. It also can specify someone to make choices for you should you become unable to make decisions. Through advanced directives, such as living wills and healthcare powers of attorney, you can make legally valid decisions about future medical treatment.
Are advance directives just for senior citizens?
Not exclusively. Federal law allows adults over 18 to make healthcare choices known to others before illness or hospitalization. A severe illness or serious accident can happen at any age. Regardless of age, you are encouraged to consider signing an advance directive.
Can advance directives be changed?
Yes. You can change or revoke these documents at any time. If you make changes, destroy all previous copies and provide the new version to your family, physician and attorney. If you wish to revoke an advance directive while receiving treatment, notify your primary physician or nurse.
After completing an advance directive, what should I do with it?
Copies of your advance directive should be given to someone who will know if you become seriously ill. You should also give a copy to your physician. Consider giving a copy to your minister, family members or close friends. If you have appointed an agent to make healthcare decisions for you, give them a copy as well. Finally, consider carrying a card stating that you have signed an advance directive and where it can be located.
For a hospital, nursing facility, home health agency, or hospice program to honor the advance directive, you must provide a copy to someone at the hospital, nursing facility, home health agency, or hospice program (a physician, nurse, social worker, or chaplain).
What is the difference between an advanced directive and DNR/Allow Natural Death (AND)?
An advance directive is a document, written only by the patient, in advance of serious illness, stating your choices about medical treatment. On the advance directive document, Allowing Natural Death means that a patient does not want any medication, machines, or other medical procedures that may keep a patient alive but will not cure them or give them a quality of life. If you have an advanced directive, you can indicate the exact treatment procedures you wish and do not. This will not be put in place until you are diagnosed as "incurable/irreversible." A DNR/AND order is written by the physician and consented to by the patient or family. It is put in place at the time of the order written.
Where can I obtain an advanced directive form?
You can obtain living will and healthcare power of attorney forms from us by clicking here or your attorney or from the Medical Association of Georgia, the State Bar Association, or the Georgia Hospital Association. If you plan to sign the documents while receiving treatment with us, you (or your family) are responsible for ensuring witnesses (other than hospital personnel) are present when you sign the documents.
Please note the Georgia Advance Directive has replaced the traditional living will. However, if you have a living will, it still serves as valuable guidance for healthcare professionals and is honored in Georgia. The Five Wishes document is also recognized in our state, giving you further options for outlining your care preferences.