Talking with Your Doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

25. How can I let my doctor, family members, and friends know my decisions about my care should I become very ill?

You can record your decisions about your future health care in documents called advance directives, such as a living will or healthcare proxy. A living will includes your decisions about medical treatment at the end of life. A healthcare proxy allows you to pick a person or persons who you trust to make health decisions for you if you cannot. A healthcare proxy also states what care you want if you become too sick to talk about it. Often, your doctor can help you think about advance directives.