More and more people are concerned about what will happen to them if they are too ill to make their own medical decisions. Many people choose to have what are known as advance directives. There are two forms of advance directives. One is a durable power of attorney for health care or health care proxy. The other is a living will or medical directive. Some people have a combination of the two. Laws vary from state to state regarding advance directives. Contact an attorney or a hospital in your area for information about your state's laws. Advance directives have several functions. These are:

• To decide ahead of time what medical procedures you do or do not want. This usually involves decisions about respirators, CPR, food, water, and medications.
• To assist your family in making decisions.
• To make sure your wishes are followed if they are different from what your family's wishes would be.

A durable power of attorney for health care is not the same as a regular power of attorney. You must have a specific durable power of attorney for health care if you want the person with your power of attorney to make health care decisions for you. In it, you designate a person who makes medical decisions for you if you are too ill and unable to make them. This might be if you are in a coma, or if you are unable to communicate. Most people choose to have a family member or close friend be the decision maker.

Many healthcare providers suggest that all people, no matter what their age or health, should have either a durable power of attorney for health care or a living will. Make sure your health care provider also has a copy of any legal documents that affect your health care.

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