Step 8: Address Legal, Employment, Financial & Insurance Services

Living Will
This document is used to give instructions about what medical treatments you both want as well as not want at the end of life. Its purpose is to guide family and doctors in deciding how aggressively to use medical treatments intended to delay death. It also can be called a directive to physicians, healthcare declaration or ìmedical directive.

Medical Power of Attorney
This document is used to state in writing the particular person you want to make medical decisions for you when you are unable to make decisions yourself. It also can be called a ìdurable power of attorney for healthcare, appointment of healthcare agent or healthcare proxy.

No document can cover every situation, so make sure and back up these documents with conversations about goals for medical care and the quality of life that are important to you. For many people, these are difficult although necessary topics to discuss with family members. If you don't know where to begin, or just want some guidance on what to say, here is a script that you can use as a jumping off point.

Do not resuscitate (DNR) order
While also prepared in advance, a DNR differs from a Living Will and a Medical Power of Attorney in that the individual cannot prepare it. It is strictly a physician's order and only valid when signed by a physician.