An Advance Medical Directive (Health Care Power of Attorney) gives instructions on the kind of medical care you would like to receive should you become unable to express your wishes yourself. It often designates someone to make medical decisions for you. This is an extremely important document- but it will not be of much value in an emergency if it is tucked away in a safe deposit box or in a file cabinet where no one can easily find it.
It is a good idea to carry a card in your wallet or purse saying you have a directive and how medical personnel can access it. If you carry a cell phone or tablet with you, consider uploading your directive as a file on your device. Our office also suggests you keep a copy of your directive in your suitcase and a copy in the glove compartment of your car.
The most important step is to have an advance directive in the first place. If you are a Kaiser Permanente Member – they have the statutory advance directive free for their members to fill in. They will also reflect in your medical record you have an advance directive once you provide them with a copy. Most Americans still do not have an advance directive – and that can create agonizing quandaries for loved ones in crisis.
Ms. MacDonald’s practice is limited to Estate Planning, Probate, Elder Law and Trust Administration. Ms. MacDonald maintains her practice in the Santa Clarita Valley at 25115 Avenue Stanford, Suite B-124 in Valencia, California. She can be reached at 661-294-6464.