What it is, what it does, and why it is important
2/24/2025 3:02:36 PM
This is part of a mini-series dedicated to providing essential information on making healthcare decisions in a format accessible to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals.
If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a high contrast format, watch the DeafBlind friendlier ASL version instead. To adjust the video speed, use YouTube's playback speed tool.
Hello, I’m here today with you all to discuss what Healthcare Directive means and how that may impact you and your family and friends.
Let’s review together.
A Healthcare Directive, also known as an advance directive, or living will. It is a legal document that outlines the specific wishes of the patient regarding their medical care and treatment, should the patient be no longer able to communicate on their own.
A healthcare directive has two parts:
The living will section of a healthcare directive document describes the medical care and treatments that the patient wants if their life is threatened. These decisions may include the patient’s wishes on life-sustaining means such as resuscitation through CPR, breathing machines, dialysis, tube feedings, and so on. This also may include whether or not the patient wishes to donate their organs and/or tissue after death as well.
The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care portion of the document is where the patient names someone they trust to make decisions for the patient in the event that the patient cannot make decisions themselves. This named person is also known as the health care proxy for the patient.
The Durable Power of Attorney itself is a legal document naming an individual to make medical and/or financial decisions for the patient. This document may go into effect right away, while the patient is alive and well, or later on when the patient is no longer capable of making decisions for themselves. This decision remains in effect until the patient changes it, or the patient dies.
Advance directives including the living will and durable power of attorney are vital because they help ensure that the patient is the one making decisions about their own healthcare. They also make sure the patient’s wishes are honored and followed through should the patient become too sick or unconscious and no longer able to make those decisions for themselves. They also help ease the burden on the patients’ loved ones (including family and friends) as the decisions have been made by the patient and not left to the loved ones to decide for the patient especially during difficult times.
On the other hand, a non-durable Power of Attorney (POA) grants temporary control to a person to make decisions on behalf of the patient for a limited, specified time. A non-durable POA is often used for temporary situations, such as when the patient is traveling, or hospitalized. It can also be used for specific transactions and exchanges such as financial or business deal.
In short, durable means long-term, and non-durable for temporary situations.
The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing thanks:
Regina Daniels for ASL talent.
Judy Mermelstein for voiceover.
Keystone Interpreting Solutions for film production.
Note: Just a reminder that the Medial Power of Attorney is only in effect until either the patient changes their mind, or they die. Any after death decisions need to be made clear through the patient's will.
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