Published on April 16, 2024. Last Updated on August 21, 2025.

End-of-life care may not be a conversation any of us look forward to having. But it’s an important part of ensuring that you receive the care you want if you are ever not able to speak for yourself. Not only does it protect your wishes, but it also provides your family with comfort and confidence knowing that you are receiving the medical attention you wanted.

And it’s not just a matter for those of advanced age. Here at Bellomo & Associates, we encourage everyone—young and old, healthy or ill—to reflect on their healthcare wishes and complete an advance directive. The truth is, none of us knows what tomorrow will bring, and preparing early offers peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.

For those who may think they are too young or too healthy to worry about such matters, our message is this: it is never too early to start making these decisions.

What Is a Healthcare Directive?

An advance directive—or healthcare directive—is a term used to describe the document we prepare with clients outlining their emergency and end-of-life healthcare wishes. This important form combines two legal instruments: a healthcare power of attorney and a living will. Together, they allow you to designate someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, as well as to outline the kind of medical treatment you do—or do not—want.

While there are different forms available—some provided by our office, others through your doctor or hospital—the term advance directive refers to them all. It is any document that clearly expresses your preferences for medical care in the event of a serious or terminal illness.

Don’t let the terminology confuse you. Whether you hear “Advance Directive,” “Healthcare Directive,” or “Living Will,” the purpose is the same: to give you a voice in your care even if you cannot speak for yourself.

When Is an Advance Directive Used?

An advance directive comes into play in special circumstances. It is used only when someone is in an end-stage medical condition, and two or more doctors have certified that the individual is permanently unconscious, terminally ill, in a vegetative state, or otherwise comatose with no realistic hope of recovery.

When this occurs, the directive provides critical guidance to the doctors in charge of your care. It answers questions such as:

• Do you want extraordinary life-sustaining measures taken?
• Would you want tube feeding if you could not eat on your own?
• What level of comfort care or pain management do you prefer?

There are no universally right or wrong answers. The important thing is that the answers are yours. By documenting them in advance, you relieve your loved ones of the unbearable burden of trying to guess your wishes or feeling as though they must “play God.” Instead, they can carry out your instructions with confidence, knowing that they are honoring what you wanted for yourself.

Why Advance Directives Matter

Imagine the stress of being called to a hospital bedside and asked to decide whether your loved one should be resuscitated, intubated, or placed on life support. Families in this position often struggle with guilt, conflict, and doubt. An advance directive prevents this uncertainty by serving as your voice.

For families, the benefits are immeasurable:

• Peace of mind knowing decisions reflect the patient’s wishes.
• Relief from conflict among siblings or other relatives who may disagree on what to do.
• Clarity for medical providers who are ethically and legally bound to follow the patient’s documented preferences.

And for you, it ensures that your healthcare journey reflects your values, dignity, and beliefs. So whether you are just starting your life care planning or think you already have it done, an advance directive should always be completed as part of the process.

Options Beyond a Standard Directive

While the healthcare directive we prepare at Bellomo & Associates is a strong, comprehensive tool, it is not the only option available. Depending on your preferences and medical needs, there are several other forms worth considering. Each serves a unique role in guiding healthcare decisions. Choosing the right one depends on your values and circumstances.

The Five Wishes Form

The five wishes form is one of the most widely recognized alternatives to a traditional advance directive. What makes it unique is its holistic approach. Unlike standard medical directives that focus primarily on clinical treatment choices, the five wishes form also addresses personal, emotional, and spiritual concerns.

For example, it allows you to specify how you want to be treated by caregivers, whether you want loved ones present, or even what kind of music you’d like to hear in your final days. It’s about your last moments encompassing everything that makes you, you, as well as safeguarding your care.

This form has gained popularity because it is easy to understand and written in plain language rather than legal jargon. It provides a clear framework for individuals who want to ensure that their values and beliefs are respected, along with their medical preferences. Many families find comfort in knowing they have a guide that speaks to the whole person—not just their physical care.

POLST (Physician’s Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment)

A POLST form is a medical order that communicates your treatment preferences directly to healthcare professionals. Unlike an advance directive, a POLST carries immediate authority in a clinical setting because it is signed by both you and your physician.

It typically covers decisions such as whether you want resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or intensive interventions.The POLST directive is especially valuable for individuals with serious illnesses or advanced age who want to ensure that their wishes are honored in the event of an emergency.

Because it is a physician’s order, it travels with you across different care settings—hospital, nursing home, or home care—so that your instructions are always visible and enforceable. This makes it a practical tool for those who want clear, actionable medical orders that cannot be overridden in moments of crisis.

Life-Sustaining Treatment Forms

Life-Sustaining Treatment forms vary by state but generally offer even greater detail and authority than a standard advance directive. They allow individuals to specify preferences for a wide range of interventions, including dialysis, artificial nutrition, hydration, and the use of antibiotics.

These forms often integrate with state registries, ensuring that healthcare providers can easily access your instructions when needed. For individuals who want a high level of specificity in their healthcare planning, these forms provide the most comprehensive level of control.

They also reduce the possibility of misinterpretation because the instructions are highly detailed and legally recognized in your state. By completing this form, you ensure that your wishes are not only expressed but also enforceable under state law, giving both you and your family additional confidence.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical directive placed in your medical record that instructs healthcare providers not to perform CPR if your heart stops beating or if you stop breathing. Unlike broader planning documents, a DNR is highly specific and applies only to resuscitation efforts.

This order is often chosen by individuals with advanced illness, limited quality of life, or those who prefer a natural death without aggressive interventions. It provides clarity in emergencies where medical staff may otherwise be obligated to attempt resuscitation.

By having a DNR in place, you relieve your family from making a rapid decision during a stressful crisis and ensure that your preference for comfort and dignity is respected. While it does not replace a full advance directive, it serves as an important complement for those who have made a clear decision about resuscitation.

Overcoming Common Misconceptions

Despite the importance of advance directives, many people still hesitate to complete them. Let’s address a few common misconceptions:

“I’m too young for this.”
Accidents and sudden illnesses do not discriminate by age. Having a directive in place ensures that you are protected, regardless of your stage in life.

“My family already knows what I want.”
Even the closest families can disagree when emotions run high. Putting your wishes in writing removes any doubt and avoids painful disputes.

“It’s too complicated.”
The process is simpler than you think. Our office guides clients through every part of a directive form, ensuring every decision is clear and every document is legally valid.

“It’s depressing to think about.”
On the contrary, completing an advance directive can be incredibly empowering. Instead of leaving these choices to chance, you are taking control of your future.

The Role of Workshops and Education

We understand that end-of-life planning can be overwhelming. Between the discomfort that typically surrounds this topic and the legal and medical nuances that become difficult to navigate. That’s why our team at Bellomo & Associates offers weekly estate planning workshops that are designed to demystify these decisions.

We encourage every attendee to complete their healthcare directives and provide guidance on the different forms available. Our goal is not just to provide you with the necessary legal documents but to empower families with knowledge, clarity, and confidence.

In these workshops, participants often share their relief once they have completed a directive. Many say they had put it off for years, fearing the conversation, only to realize how much lighter they felt knowing their families would not have to make these choices for them.

Take Control of Your Care Today

End-of-life planning is not about giving up; it is about taking control. Completing an advance directive ensures that your values and choices are respected, whether you can communicate them or not.

It’s about removing doubt from your family’s minds and freeing them to stand by your side in moments of crisis without questioning if they are doing the right thing for you. After all, medical situations are stressful enough without the added burden of making quick decisions.

Whether you have already decided that you want to complete an advance directive, are considering a different end-of-life directive, or simply want to learn more about your options, Bellomo & Associates is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or sign up for one of our weekly workshops. We will answer any questions you have and work with you to find the perfect solution for safeguarding your future care.