Plan in Advance for Your End-of-life Care April 14, 2026 Do your health care providers and loved ones know what medical care you wish to receive in the future – even if you are unable to speak for yourself? Key legal documents, including advance directives, POLST and powers of attorney, are essential to ensuring your doctors and loved ones understand your health care choices. Common scenarios where such documents are needed include terminal illness, severe brain injury or when someone is in a coma. Advance Directives Advance directives allow you to name a health care representative and provide specific medical instructions, especially regarding life-sustaining treatments. POLST Portable orders for life‑sustaining treatment (POLST) are for patients with serious illnesses and translate your treatment preferences into actionabledirectives for first responders and health care providers. Power of Attorney Powers of attorney allow a designated agent to make decisions for you if you are incapacitated. A general power of attorney typically covers broader decisions but doesn’t always include health care, unless specifically mentioned.Talk with your health care provider about what documents you should consider completing, then regularly review them and make sure they are accessible to your loved ones and care team. These key legal documents can help ensure the care you receive is in line with your values and wishes, even when you are unable to speak for yourself.Learn more about these important legal documents at samhealth.org/PlanAhead.
