A Maryland law, the Health Care Decisions Act, says that you can make health care plans through “advance directives.” An advance directive document can be used to name a health care agent, someone you trust to make health care decisions for you. You can also use an advance directive to list your preferences for treatments that might be used to sustain your life.
Adults can decide for themselves whether they want medical treatment. This right to decide – to say yes or no to proposed treatment – applies to treatments that extend life, like a breathing machine or a feeding tube. Tragically, an accident or illness can take away a person’s ability to voice health care decisions. But decisions still have to be made. If you cannot do so, someone else will. These decisions should reflect your own values and priorities.
Discuss your health plan with your family or significant others, and your physician, so they know what your wishes are. The conversation is just as important as the document. Give copies to family members or friends, and your doctor. Also make sure that, if you go into a hospital, you bring a copy.
Advance directives should continue to be updated as your health changes or as you get older.
For more specific information on how to make decisions and fill out the advance directive, click HERE. You can find additional information and upload your digital advance directive at Online Advance Care Plan, Better than a Living Will | MyDirectives
The Maryland Department of Health also makes available an advance directive focused on preferences about mental health treatment. This can be found online at https://health.maryland.gov/bha/Pages/newforms.aspx. From that page, under “Service Recipients,” click on “Advance Directive for Mental Health Treatment.”
The Montgomery County Palliative Care and End of Life Coalition provides links to advance directive forms in languages other than English: ADVANCE CARE PLANNING | MC PC EOL Coalition (mccelc.org)