Health Care Directives (HCD) or Living Will/Advance Directive.
A Health Care Directive, HCD or "Living Will" also known as an advance directive. is a written document that informs other of your wishes about your health care. It allows you to name a person ("agent") to decide for you if you are unable to decide or if you just want someone else to decide for you.
With all of us experiencing this pandemic, we realize the need to document advanced healthcare preferences. Not many people want to think about their death, but COVID-19 has reminded us that it’s important for everyone, people of all ages and all states of illness or health, to actually think these things through.
This is a document that is part of our basic package and one you should be sure to discuss with the attorney preparing your Will. . This is where you spell out your wishes regarding life prolonging medical treatment. It is how you leave the message to your loved ones when you can no longer speak for yourself whether you want the plug pulled or if you wish to have any and all available medical treatment offered to you. This is a very personal matter, but one that you shouldn’t overlook. It is hard enough for your loved ones or the Health Care Agent you select to make these decisions for you so providing them with examples and explicit instructions on what you would want done if you could speak for yourself is crucial. This also discusses such things as whether you would want to die at home if possible, whether you want to intubated or remain on life support, and how you want your body disposed of including organ donation and funeral arrangements.
