An advance directive is a legal document that allows people to make their own decisions about their medical care in case they become unable to make decisions for themselves. This can include decisions about life-sustaining treatment, such as whether or not to be put on a ventilator or have CPR performed.
A study published in the journal Healthcare found that the majority of people in residential care have advance directives. The study looked at the data of over 1,000 people who lived in residential care and found that 73% had an advance directive.
The study also found that people who had an advance directive were more likely to be older, have more chronic health conditions, and be white.
There are a number of reasons why people in residential care may have advance directives. One reason is that they are more likely to have chronic health conditions that could lead to them becoming incapacitated. Another reason is that they may be older and have more time to think about their end-of-life care.
Having an advance directive can help to ensure that people’s wishes are respected if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. It can also help to reduce stress and conflict for family members and healthcare providers.
If you are considering living in residential care, it is important to talk to your doctor about advance directives. They can help you to understand your options and create a document that reflects your wishes.
Here are some of the benefits of having an advance directive:
- It allows you to make your own decisions about your medical care. This can be especially important if you have specific wishes about end-of-life care.
- It can reduce stress and conflict for your family members and healthcare providers. Knowing your wishes can help them to make decisions that are in line with your values.
- It can help to ensure that your wishes are respected. If you become unable to make decisions for yourself, your advance directive will provide guidance to your healthcare providers.
If you do not have an advance directive, it is not too late to create one. There are many resources available to help you, including your doctor, a lawyer, or an elder law attorney.
