Advance Health Directive

What is an Advance Health Directive (AHD)?

Another legal document that you may need to consider is an Advance Health Directive (AHD).

It is a document that allows you to give directions as to your future health care that will take effect after you lose capacity to make the decision yourself.

Why you might need one

The purpose of an AHD is to give you the confidence that your health care wishes will be carried out if you cannot speak for yourself. An AHD is particularly important for people who are concerned that they have no close relatives or friends who are aware of their health care wishes.

You can direct the type of medical treatment or palliative care you wish to receive if you are diagnosed with a terminal, incurable or irreversible condition, are permanently unconscious or in a persistent vegetative state.

For AHD to be valid, it will be forwarded you to take to your doctor for advice on various medical procedures. You must then sign the AHD in the presence of your doctor who will certify that you understand the decisions you have made in your AHD.

An AHD cannot be used to permit voluntary euthanasia, or to accelerate the death of a person.

We recommend you review your AHD every 3 – 5 years or if your health changes significantly.