What Is An Advanced Directive?
An Advance Directive is a written plan that tells your doctors and family what medical treatments you do or don’t want if you can’t make decisions for yourself. Having an Advance Directive helps make sure your wishes about medical care are known. Even if you have one, doctors will still take care of you in the hospital. It only gets used if you’re in the hospital and unable to make your own choices.
Types Of Advance Directives
In Louisiana, Advance Directives are also called “Declarations,” and you must be at least 18 years old to create one. There are three types, and you can choose to have one, two, or all three. These documents only take effect if you are in the hospital and unable to make or communicate your own medical decisions.
Living Will
A Living Will is a document where you state what kinds of life-saving treatments or procedures you do or don’t want if you can’t speak for yourself. You can be as detailed as you want. However, a Living Will does not let you pick a person to make decisions for you—that requires a Durable Power of Attorney. Once properly signed, your Living Will can be added to your medical records to help guide your doctor in making care decisions.
LaPOST (Louisiana Physician Order for Scope of Treatment)
This is a medical form that records your choices about life-sustaining treatments. It is usually for people with serious, terminal conditions who are not expected to live more than a year, but anyone can request one. A LaPOST form must be filled out with your doctor and, once signed, becomes part of your medical record
Durable Power of Attorney
This document lets you choose someone you trust to make medical and end-of-life decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself. The word Durable means the person will keep this power even if you become mentally unable to make decisions.
If you want your Durable Power of Attorney to allow someone to make both medical and end-of-life decisions, you must clearly state that in the document. Choose someone you trust completely, as they will have to make serious choices on your behalf.
What If I Change My Mind?
You have the right to update or cancel your Advance Directive at any time. If you change your mind about your medical care preferences, you can make changes whenever you want.
Want To Learn More?
Download the “Your Care Your Plan” brochure or the State of Louisiana Declaration for more details. If you have questions, talk to your Bunkie General doctor, nurse, or case manager.
The information on this website regarding Advanced Directives is for informational purposes only and not intended to be legal advice or replace legal counsel. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health.