Advance Directives
Your healthcare decisions matter — even when you can’t speak for yourself. At Citrus County Rural Health (CCRH), we provide support and guidance for creating Advance Directives, giving you and your loved ones peace of mind about your future care.
What Are Advance Directives?
Advance Directives are legal documents that allow you to outline your healthcare preferences in case you become unable to make decisions due to illness or injury. These documents ensure that your wishes are honored and help prevent confusion or stress for your family during a medical crisis.
Common types of Advance Directives include:
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Living Will – States your preferences for life-sustaining treatments (e.g., resuscitation, ventilator use, feeding tubes).
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Healthcare Power of Attorney – Appoints someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf.
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Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order – A medical order that tells providers not to perform CPR if your heart stops or you stop breathing.
Why Are They Important?
Advance Directives help ensure:
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Your values and choices are respected
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Your loved ones aren't left guessing about what you would have wanted
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Providers follow a clear plan that aligns with your wishes
They are especially important for patients with chronic illness, advanced age, terminal diagnoses, or those preparing for surgery or long-term care.
Who Needs an Advance Care Plan?
Advance care planning isn’t just for the elderly or seriously ill. A health crisis can happen at any age, making it hard to communicate your wishes. Planning ahead helps ensure you receive the care you want and that someone you trust can speak on your behalf.
What Happens if You Do Not Have an Advance Directive?
If you don’t have an advance directive and can’t make decisions for yourself, your state’s laws will determine who can speak on your behalf. This is usually your spouse, adult children, or parents. If you’re unmarried and haven’t officially named your partner, they may be left out of the decision-making process. In some cases, a close friend or a physician may be assigned instead. To understand how it works in your state, contact your local legal aid office or state bar association.
Will an Advance Directive Guarantee Your Wishes Are Followed?
Advance directives are legally recognized but not always legally binding. Your healthcare provider and proxy will do their best to follow your wishes, but in complex or unclear situations, they may need to interpret your preferences. That’s why having open conversations with your loved ones ahead of time is so important — it helps them make decisions that align with your values when the unexpected happens.
In rare cases, a provider may choose not to follow your directive if it conflicts with:
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Their personal or religious beliefs
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The facility’s policies
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Accepted medical standards
If this happens, they are required to inform your healthcare proxy right away and help transfer your care to a provider who will honor your wishes.
