Revisiting your Healthcare Directive (or Living Will) in Light of COVID-19
May 11, 2020
Authored by: Tiffany McKenzie
The numbers of confirmed cases of U.S. citizens with COVID and of those who die from COVID related symptoms are continuing to rise. COVID-19 has caused life-threating respiratory conditions, extended hospitalizations, and a resulting strain on our healthcare system. Because COVID-19 is so contagious, the loved ones and family members of sick patients are not able to accompany them to the hospital. Consequently, the virus underscores for all of us the importance of healthcare planning, particularly by having an advance directive or living will.
Advance directives are legal documents that specify healthcare treatment preferences (the “living will” portion) and designate a “healthcare proxy.” The proxy, also known as a healthcare agent, is a person you designate to make decisions for you in case you become unable to make them for yourself. The directive