A Healthcare Directive is a legal document that outlines an individual’s preferences regarding medical treatment and healthcare decisions in the event that they become unable to communicate their wishes due to illness or incapacity. It is often part of a broader set of advance directives.
There are two main types of healthcare directives:
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Living Will: This specifies the types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures that a person wishes to receive or not receive under certain circumstances, such as terminal illness or persistent vegetative state. For example, an individual may state that they do not want to be kept on a ventilator if they are diagnosed with a terminal condition.
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Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This designates a specific person (often referred to as a healthcare proxy or agent) to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual if they are unable to do so. This agent is entrusted to interpret the individual’s wishes and make decisions that align with their values and goals.
In Houston and Texas, healthcare directives are governed by state law, which provides specific requirements for the validity of these documents, including the need for signatures and witnesses. It is recommended that individuals review and update their healthcare directives periodically, especially after significant life events, to ensure that their preferences remain current and accurately reflect their wishes.
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