New thinking about plaque in arteries that feed the brain
Want to prevent shifting teeth? Maybe you need retainers
What you need to know about the new dietary guidelines
Food that’s healthier for people and planet can be cheaper, too
New evidence that polyphenol-rich foods help the heart
8 simple ways to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet
How to curb your stress eating
How to spot Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Heart failure symptoms in women: How they’re different
GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux
Advance Directives Forms
You may be in robust health today. An emergency such as a car accident or a stroke could change that in a heartbeat, as could the diagnosis of a severe, life-threatening illness. Aging can also change your health landscape. If you haven't prepared advance directives or chosen a health care proxy, medical choices could be left to worried relatives or to a doctor or guardian appointed by a judge, none of whom may have a clear understanding of your values, beliefs, and preferences.
Advance Care Planning: A guide to advance directives, living wills, and other strategies for communicating health care preferences, helps guide you through the process of establishing advance directives and appointing a health care proxy.
Here are four key forms that can assist you are a Health Care Power of Attorney, a Health Decisions Worksheet, a Generic Living Will, a Sample POLST form, and an Advance Directives Tracking Sheet.
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
New thinking about plaque in arteries that feed the brain
Want to prevent shifting teeth? Maybe you need retainers
What you need to know about the new dietary guidelines
Food that’s healthier for people and planet can be cheaper, too
New evidence that polyphenol-rich foods help the heart
8 simple ways to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet
How to curb your stress eating
How to spot Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Heart failure symptoms in women: How they’re different
GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux
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