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Advanced Health Care Directives

Advanced Health Care Directives (AHCD) are an essential part of every estate plan.  They allow you to tell your loved ones how you would like to be treated when receiving end of life care or if you become incapacitated.

I like to compare AHCD’s to the technological advances in television.  The very first TV’s were a miracle and started a media sharing revolution albeit they were black and white.  After the first black and white TV’s they became and are becoming closer and closer to real life.  AHCD’s can do the same thing, the more detailed an AHCD the closer and closer you get to real intents and desires of the principal.

Black and White AHCD– Free with opt in below.  This Health Care Directive only appoints an agent and gives them the power to decide.  It also gives limited information to the agent under what circumstances the principal would want or wouldn’t want to receive life sustaining support.  There are so many questions left unanswered by this instrument, it unequivocally gives the agent authorization to decide. Despite its shortcomings the Black and White AHCD is much better than no AHCD.

–          Appoints an agent

–          Speaks to life support

–          Gives agent the authority

 

 

Color AHCD- $50.  This Health Care directive does everything in the Black and White AHCD and additionally allows the principal to appoint a guardian, give medical history access to the agent,  and designate alternate agents if needed.  Like the color TV, this meets the minimum threshold of acceptability for most households.

–          Appoints an agent

–          Speaks to life support

–          Gives agent the authority

–          Nominates a guardian

–          Gives authority to look at medical records

–          Alternate agents

 High Definition (HD) AHCD- $75.  High Definition is quickly becoming the standard in our country with everyone wanting to be able to see the ultra fine details in any video.  The HD AHCD will allow the agent to know exactly how the principal would like to be treated.  It includes all the features in the color AHCD as well as gives instruction about medical research, organ donation, and allows the principal to express their overall theory of end of life care.  The Agent will have no doubt what is expected of him and everyone will know that the Agent is merely carrying out the Principal’s wishes.

–          Appoints an agent

–          Speaks to life support

–          Gives agent the authority

–          Nominates a guardian

–          Gives authority to look at medical records

–          Alternate agents

–          Speaks to medical research

–          Theory of End of life Decisions

 3D AHCD – $100.  3D is the new frontier in television as the watching experience transcends physical reality with immersive experiences. The 3D AHCD adds another dimension in that it not only gives detailed instructions for care to be given, but it also allows the principal to share their core values with their Agents after they are unable to voice it themselves.  It features everything in the HD AHCD, but also includes instructions for extended incapacitated care such as social interaction, religious and spiritual involvement, and case specific scenarios showing in practical terms how the Principal would want to be treated.  Consequently the 3D AHCD is the plan that most of the clients of Wes Winsor Law has chosen because it minimizes the decision making burden on the agent (usually a loved one).

3d TV

  •          Appoints an agent

  •           Speaks to life support

  •           Gives agent the authority

  •           Nominates a guardian

  •           Gives authority to look at medical records

  •           Alternate agents

  •           Speaks to medical research

  • Theory of End of life Decisions
  • Covers pain medication
  • Persistent vegetative states
  • What to do if no reasonable prospect of recovery
  • Independent living and Elder Care
  • Religious or Spiritual Activity if incapacitated