[Music] If something happened and suddenly you were unable to speak for yourself, and important decisions had to be made—decisions that affect you—who would you want to speak for you? How would that person know what you would want unless you'd chosen that person in advance and made those decisions in advance? An advance directive is a form that you complete now to help your family in a difficult time.
It tells your health care providers who you want to speak for you and what you want and would not want in different situations. The first step is to talk with your family about these issues: decide who you want to speak for you and what your goals are for your health care. Your health care provider can be very helpful in explaining situations that might occur and what your options might be.
Then fill out an advance directive form, have your signature witnessed according to the laws of your state, and then give your advance directive to your health care provider to be added to your medical record. Be sure your family members have a copy so it can be easily accessed if the need should arise. It's never too early to complete an advance directive; you can revise this document any time you wish.
You may never need it, but if something should happen, your family will be grateful that you made decisions for yourself in advance. Ask your health care provider for an advance directive form today.
