An Advanced Directive Form for an Older Adult

Obtaining an advanced directive form from the internet was not very hard. Yet, it requires a certain tech- and internet-savviness, which is not always the characteristic of the elderly population. I believe this is important for adults of any age as there are cases when accidents threaten their lives and health, and the time of death is hard to predict. Having an advanced directive is also important for cases of unrecoverable damage. An advanced directive for a debilitated patient is not the same as a declaration of consent from the patients in control of all their abilities. For advanced directives, the patient only states the associated medical choices he needs once in a critical situation. Therefore, the doctors and family members will comply with the decision as stated.

Approaching the terminal of life is the most difficult scenario that leaves the patient and the family members in a lot of pain. This is because of complicated choices ranging from simple to multifarious. Among the major questions that linger in the minds of the loved ones is how they can use the available resources for the patient’s benefit (Scholten et al., 2018). However, the advanced directives have made it possible for patients to explain how best they would want to be taken care of while in a critical situation. Approaching the end of my life, for instance, there are various factors that I will consider most while planning my care. One of the most important considerations is my family. I will make sure that I choose a health care plan that will not affect my family members psychologically. For instance, I would rather die peacefully than have my family witness the pain am going through while supported by a breathing machine.

Reference

Scholten, G., Bourguignon, S., Delanote, A., Vermeulen, B., Van Boxem, G., & Schoenmakers, B. (2018). Advance directive: does the GP know and address what the patient wants? Advance directive in primary care. BMC medical ethics, 19(1), 1-7.