Advance Directives - A Guide to Documenting Your Healthcare Wishes

If you are incapable of making medical decisions, who would you want to speak for you? How do you let them know what is important to you in your care?  We discuss the importance of preparation at any age, how to do it, and what resources are available to help. Show notes: https://bit.ly/4iSwqci

In this episode we delve deep into Advance Directives. We often have misconceptions that advance directives are only for older people or people that are dying. But did you know the whole reason they exist were from two young people that had terrible accidents, leaving friends and family members to fight for what they knew they would want? These documents are valid for anyone 18 or older who want to take control of their own bodies.

In this Episode:

• 00:00 - Intro: Five Wishes and Advance Directives
• 01:13 - Ways to Communicate Your Wishes
• 03:44 - Intro: S1E09 Rebroadcast
• 04:41 - St Germain Cocktail
• 06:27 - History of Advance Directives; It Actually Arose from Young People
• 18:43 - How Advance Directives Work
• 24:34 - Healthcare Proxy
• 26:59 - It Doesn't Have to be All or Nothing - Tailor Directives for Situation
• 29:33 - Artificial Food and Fluids - Situations to Think About
• 33:18 - Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Will
• 39:06 - Why Does E1D Have a 3rd Half? 
• 40:08 - Interview-A Daughter's Perspective on an Advance Directive Decision
• 46:45 - How to Protect Yourselves from Scams
• 51:03 - Outro

Bonus: Have you ever wondered why we have a "Third Half" in our episodes? Listen  to the explanation (39:06) and learn its roots in a rugby tradition.

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro: Five Wishes and Advance Directives
• 1:13 Ways to Communicate Your Wishes
• 3:44 Intro: S1E09 Rebroadcast
• 4:41 St Germain Cocktail
• 6:27 History of Advance Directives; It Actually Arose from Young People
• 18:43 How Advance Directives Work
• 24:34 Healthcare Proxy
• 26:59 It Doesn't Have to be All or Nothing - Tailor Directives for Situation
• 29:33 Artificial Food and Fluids - Situations to Think About
• 33:18 Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Will
• 39:06 Why Does E1D Have a 3rd Half?
• 40:08 Interview-A Daughter's Perspective on an Advance Directive Decision
• 46:45 How to Protect Yourselves from Scams
• 51:03 Outro