What is an Advance Health Directive?

An Advance Health Directive is a written statement that allows individuals to express their preferences and decisions regarding future healthcare treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves due to illness or incapacity. This legal document ensures that a person's healthcare choices are documented and respected, even when they cannot actively participate in those decisions.

By specifying preferences, such as types of medical treatment they want or do not want, individuals can guide healthcare providers and loved ones in making decisions aligned with their values and beliefs. This is particularly important in situations where a patient might be incapacitated, as it provides clarity and reduces the burden of decision-making on family members or caregivers.

In contrast, other options do not accurately define what an Advance Health Directive entails. For instance, appointing a guardian involves a different legal documentation process focused on personal representation rather than healthcare preferences, and consent forms for minors pertain specifically to the rights and responsibilities of minors and their guardians in healthcare settings. Similarly, mental health evaluations are distinct processes unrelated to an individual's advance healthcare decisions.