Creating an advance directive is an important step in stating your end-of-life wishes. Also known as a living will, healthcare power of attorney, physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) and more. An advanced directive is a written statement intended to guide medical staff on how you wish to proceed with your care if you’re cognitively/mentally incapacitated or sustaining a life-threatening illness. Many people change these directives at different stages of their lives and situations. It is good to have an advance directive at any age, especially if you want your wishes to be followed, and not rely on what your family or friends would want for you, or think you might want.

The goal in writing this is to ensure that the people you love and trust are very clear on what you would want if you couldn’t speak for yourself. Even if your wishes are clearly stated, a family member or doctor could change the outcome of your advance directive simply by insisting that he or she knows best. Make sure everyone is clear. Remember, these decisions were made while you were of sound mind, and you expect your wishes to be honored.