One of the best ways to protect your and your family’s future is to let your family members know in advance your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions. You can also put in place legal documents that provide authority to other family members to deal with unexpected health issues should they arise.
In Illinois, an Advanced Health directive and a Statutory Power of Attorney for Healthcare can be used to empower another to make health decisions on your behalf in the event you are incapacitated. Although a Statutory Power of Attorney is a type of healthcare directive, there are important differences between the two that your attorney can advise you on as you think about setting up a plan for dealing with health challenges.
What is an Advanced Healthcare Directive?
An advanced healthcare directive provides medical instructions on what to do in the event you are unable to make your own medical decisions. Some types of advanced healthcare directives include: