Advance Directives

What is a Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare?

This document allows you to appoint a person you trust to make healthcare decisions for you should you become unable. It also provides options for more detailed end-of-life care planning such as resuscitation, feeding tubes and antibiotics. In addition, you can nominate a potential guardian (should you ever need one) and discuss your wishes for final disposition of your body. To top it off, it also includes a helpful HIPAA release. A Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare  is a critical estate planning document and Everyone 18 and older should have one

Where should you keep your Advance Directive and who should have it?

We recommend you keep the original in a safe, but easy-to-access place. Make sure your family knows where it is kept and has copies. Do not keep it in your safety deposit box.

You should also provide your healthcare providers with copies for your medical records. Make sure your healthcare agent’s name and updated contact information is included with your advance directive so the healthcare provider can contact them easily.

Is a Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare the same thing as a Living Will?

In July 2007, the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care Act replaced the GA laws on the Living Will and the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. We now have one document called the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare. You may download Georgia’s statutory form HERE for free!

Is the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare the same as a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order?

No, the DNR is an order that must be signed by a doctor so that in the event of an emergency,  CPR is not performed.

What is the difference between a Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare and a POLST?

An advance directive is a direction from the patient, not a medical order. In contrast, a POLST (Physician Order For Life Sustaining Treatment) form consists of a set of medical orders that applies to a seriously ill patient and addresses a limited number of critical decisions. A POLST can complement an advance directive but doesn’t replace it.

To summarize a few critical points to know about a Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare, watch our short video. This is an easy document to execute and certainly worth your time.

Hurley Elder Care Law is happy to assist you with your estate planning needs. Visit our website or call our intake specialist for a complimentary phone consultation at 404-843-0121.