personal directive

a personal directive, also often called an advance directive or living will, is a legal document that explains personal wishes about end-of-life medical treatment in case decision-making or communication abilities are lost. a personal directive specifies the conditions under which certain kinds of treatment or life-support measures would or would not be wanted. in some provinces, a personal directive allows you to name a substitute decision-maker to make decisions about your health care if you cannot speak or make decisions for your self.

a personal directive can be changed or revoked at any time and will not take effect until a person is no longer able to make or communicate decisions. copies of personal directives should be given to and discussed with a person's health professional and family members.

although personal directives can be written without the help of an attorney, legal advice may be useful. this is especially true for people who live in provinces or territories where the laws governing them are unclear. many hospitals and nursing homes provide personal directive forms that comply with provincial or territorial requirements.

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personal directive

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