An illness or accident can happen to anyone at any time. With today's advances in medical technology, people can be kept alive indefinitely, and we may be faced with making life or death decisions.
Written instructions are important because people's views differ greatly.
Without written instructions from you, family members may disagree on these important issues, which may lead to inaction. General conversations about these issues with family or friends are useful, but do not have the same legal status as a written advance directive. In a health care power of attorney , you designate someone to speak for you in any health-related situation in which you are no longer able to indicate your wishes. You can also indicate the kinds of treatments or situations you do, or do not, want. An additional benefit is that it eliminates the need to appoint a guardian, which can involve a costly hearing.