What Are Advance Medical Directives?

If you have ever been hospitalized, you were probably asked for your advance medical medical directives.  This is because adults have the legal right to consent to or refuse medical treatment, and medical facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds must tell their patients about these rights.
 
Advance Medical Directives allow you to declare your wishes in written documents, to be used if you are ever in a situation in which you cannot communicate them.  They do not take away your right to make medical decisions if you are able to do so.
 
Colorado recognizes five types of advance medical directives:

1. Living Wills
2. Medical/Heath Care Powers of Attorney
3. CPR Orders/Do Not Resuscitate Orders
4. Disposition of Last Remains Declarations
5. Organ and Tissue Donation Declarations

If you do not have advance medical directives and become incapacitated due to an injury or illness, your loved ones may have to go through a court process to obtain legal guardianship to be able to make medical decisions for you. Even then, your family may not know your wishes. Not having advance medical directives can create conflict between your loved ones.
 
You should provide copies of your advance medical directives to your doctor, family members, health care agent, and any medical facility you may be admitted to.