You can control your future medical care

One of the most vital concerns many have about the future is what will happen with their medical care in case of an emergency or in their advanced age. You may have specific needs and objectives for your personal care in case of a serious medical need, and thankfully, there are steps you can take that will allow you to control these things. Through estate planning, you can draft documents that will allow you to make certain types of medical decisions and address needs that could arise in the future in the event of incapacitation. 

A living will and advance directives provide you the opportunity to make your wishes known. Medical decisions are deeply personal, and the motivations you have about why you do or do not want a specific type of treatment are based on factors that are unique to you. If these matters are important to you, creating these types of documents should be an important part of your estate planning process. 

A power of attorney and a living will 

The two important advance directives that you will need as part of your estate plan are a living will and a health care power of attorney. Combined, these two documents may be able to provide you with a certain amount of control in the event of unexpected circumstances. The differences between these two documents include: 

• Power of attorney: This is a document that allows one to appoint a specific person to act on his or her behalf in case of incapacitation. This should be someone you trust to act in your best interests when making decisions on matters not specifically outlined in your living will. 
• Living will: This is a document that outlines your preferences for specific medical issues that may arise in the future. This can include your wishes regarding CPR, blood transfusions, ventilation and other interventions that one may implement to save or extend your life. 

These are important and sometimes overwhelming decisions you may have to make as you are considering your estate planning needs. Due to the sensitive and complex nature of these matters, you may benefit from speaking with professionals who can provide legal and medical guidance. A careful look at your health status, religious beliefs, personal preferences and other factors can help you craft advance directives that will protect your interests and provide you with peace of mind for the future.