Advance healthcare directive

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Care Guide

Writing an advance healthcare

directive Basics, hints and tips

Writing an advance

healthcare directive

Basics, hints and tips

What is an advance healthcare directive?

What is an advance

healthcare directive?

Definition: In an advance healthcare directive, you specify in writing how you wish to be treated medically in the event of incapacity to consent.
It allows consent to or refusal of certain medical procedures.
Personal values and ideas about life and death should be documented.
The directive helps doctors to act in accordance with the patient’s wishes.
The advance healthcare directive is an expression of the right to self-determination (German Medical Association).

Consultation before writing:

A personal consultation with your family doctor is recommended.
Churches, hospices, or welfare organizations offer support and advice.

What does an advance healthcare directive look like?

What does an advance

healthcare directive

look like?

Form: Informal, but written document.
No notarization is required.
The order must be formulated specifically and unambiguously.

Typical contents:

Artificial respiration
Pain management
Resuscitation
Organ donation

Help with wording:

Standard text modules from the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection.
Online tool from the consumer advice center with explanatory texts.

Formal requirements:

Author must be of legal age .
Handwritten signature with name and date.
It should include specific instructions and personal examples.

How long is an advance healthcare directive valid?

How long is an

advance healthcare

healtcare valid?

Valid until death, unless revoked.
Regular review of the content is recommended.
In cases of serious illness, wishes and instructions should be updated if necessary.

No advance healthcare directive

Who gets to decide?

No advance

healthcare directive

Who gets to decide?

Recommendation: Additionally, file a power of attorney for healthcare decisions.
In the absence of an advance healthcare directive, an authorized representative makes decisions within the framework of the power of attorney.
Without a power of attorney, the guardianship court will appoint a legal guardian.

Protection through a guardianship order:

Here you can designate a trusted person as your caregiver.
This person then decides, in consultation with doctors, according to your presumed wishes.

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