Advance directives are important documents in healthcare planning, ensuring your medical preferences are honored when you can't communicate them yourself. However, life circumstances change, and so might your healthcare wishes. Therefore, it's essential to periodically review and update your advance directive form.

Key Takeaways

• Importance of regular updates: Learn why it's critical to keep your advance directive current with your evolving life circumstances.

• Process for making changes: Understand the steps involved in revising your advance directive.

• Communication: Discover the best practices for informing family and healthcare providers about your updates.

Why to Update Your Advance Directive

Advance directives are not static documents. They should evolve with your life changes, health status, and personal preferences. Here are some key reasons why you might need to update your advance directive:

Changes in Health Status

A significant change in your health condition is a primary reason to revisit your advance directive. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness or have recovered from a severe condition, your medical preferences might change accordingly.

Family Dynamics and Relationships

Changes in your family dynamics, such as marriage, divorce, or the death of a loved one, can affect whom you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. Updating your advance directive ensures your current preferences are reflected.

Legal and Policy Changes

Laws regarding advance directives can change, affecting how they are implemented. Staying informed about these changes and updating your document ensures it remains legally valid and enforceable.

Personal Reflection and Preferences

Your personal beliefs and values might evolve over time. Regular reflection on these aspects can lead to changes in your healthcare preferences, which should be documented in your advance directive.

• Related: Types of Advance Directives

Timeline for Updating an Advance Directive

Certain life events and milestones should prompt a review of your advance directive:

• Every five to 10 years: Even if no significant life changes occur, it's a good practice to review your advance directive every five to 10 years.

• After major life events: Events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the death of a loved one.

• Upon diagnosis of a serious illness: A new health diagnosis can significantly affect your healthcare preferences.

• Changes in healthcare providers: If you change your primary healthcare provider or move to a new location, it’s important to ensure your advance directive is accessible and recognized by your new providers.

Process for Making Changes

Updating your advance directive involves several steps to ensure the changes are legally binding and effectively communicated.

Review and Reflect

Start by reviewing your current advance directive. Reflect on whether it still aligns with your current health status, personal values, and preferences. Consider discussing your thoughts with trusted family members, friends, or a healthcare professional.

Draft the Changes

Once you’ve identified the necessary changes, draft a new advance directive. It’s beneficial to use templates or forms that comply with your state’s legal requirements. See Trustworthy's guide on completing an advance directive.

Confirm Legal Requirements

To ensure your revised advance directive is legally valid, you must follow your state’s legal requirements, which typically cover:

• Witnesses: Your advance directive must be signed in the presence of witnesses.

• Notarization: Some states require notarization. Check your state’s requirements to ensure compliance.

Inform Relevant Parties

After updating your advance directive, it’s crucial to inform the relevant parties to ensure your updated preferences are known and respected.

Tell Family and Friends

Communicate the changes to your family members and close friends. This ensures they are aware of your current wishes and can support your decisions if needed.

Share With Healthcare Providers

Provide a copy of your updated advance directive to your primary healthcare provider and any specialists involved in your care. Ensure it is included in your medical records.

Give Copies to Legal Representatives

If you have designated a healthcare proxy or power of attorney, ensure they receive a copy of the updated document and understand your current preferences.

Storing and Sharing Your Updated Advance Directive

Proper storage and sharing of your updated advance directive are essential to ensure it is accessible when needed.

Using a secure digital platform like Trustworthy can help you store and manage your advance directive. Trustworthy protects and optimizes important family information, including advance directives, and provides secure sharing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make changes to my advance directive without a lawyer?

Yes, you can make changes to your advance directive without a lawyer, but it’s essential to follow your state’s legal requirements, which may include witnesses and notarization.

What should I do with my old advance directive after updating it?

After updating your advance directive, destroy all physical and digital copies of the old version to avoid confusion. Ensure that all relevant parties have the most recent version.

Can my family override my advance directive?

In most cases, your family cannot override your advance directive. However, it’s important to communicate your wishes clearly to prevent disputes.