Advance Health Care Directive

By Jaya Karnani, M.D. – Family Medicine

Dr. Karnani will be speaking at our Advanced Health Care Directives seminar on August 10th at 10 a.m. in the doctor’s lounge at the Hayward clinic. Seating is limited, please RSVP to Bonnie Wheeler at (510) 293-5642

Q: What is an advance health-care directive (advance directive)?

A: Advance directives are written instructions, made in advance, which communicate your wishes about the care and treatment you want if you reach a point when you are no longer able to make your own health care decisions.

Q: Who should have an advance directive?

A: Everyone over the age of 18.

Q: I’m young and healthy, why should I have an advance directive?

A: Being prepared with an advance directive, regardless of your age, allows you to establish what types of treatment you want and who will speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. An advance directive relieves your family of making difficult decisions for you and helps your health care provider know how to best serve you.

Q: With whom should I discuss my wishes?

A: Discuss these issues with your family, closest friend, clergy or your physician. Your closest advisors can help you make these delicate personal decisions.

Q: To whom should I communicate my wishes when I make my decisions?

A: It is important to discuss your decisions with family and friends so they understand your wishes regarding health care. If you do not make your wishes clear, your family members may not agree about what type of care and treatment you would want and conflicts may arise.

Q: Who can I choose as my “agent”?

A: Your “agent” may be a relative or friend, but it may not be your doctor or any Bay Valley Medical Group employee. It is recommended that you select a person who knows you well and who you trust to support your decisions.

Q: Where can I obtain an advance directive form?

A: The forms are available in each of Bay Valley Medical Group’s clinic sites, on our website and from the customer service department which is located in the Hayward office. They are also available by mail and you may phone customer service at 510-785-500 to request one.

Q: Do I need to have an attorney write up my advance directive?

A: You do not need an attorney for the advance directive, however, you will need two witnesses to sign the form. A witness cannot be your health care agent, physician, nurse or social worker. A witness must not be someone who would benefit financially from your death. If you do not have witnesses you can take your form to a notary public.

Q: What should I do with my advance directive when it’s completed?

A: It is important to keep the original advance directive in a safe place and to give copies to your agent, your doctors and family members. Take a copy with you if you are going to be admitted to the hospital. You can either bring your advance directive to your primary care physician, or to the customer service department and it will be filed in your medical record.

Q: What if I change my mind about how I completed the advance directive?

A: You may complete a new advance directive with your changes and replace each copy that you previously distributed.

No one likes to contemplate being seriously ill or in a situation where you might not be able to express your opinions and wishes related to your health care. But, it is prudent to think about such matters when you are healthy and well and to share your thinking with those closest to you. An advance directive helps people think through these difficult, sensitive issues and motivates having important conversations. Your physician and the customer service department is always available to help you complete your advance directive.

Dr. Karnani practices Family Medicine at Bay Valley Medical Group’s Hayward office. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with her, please call (510) 785-5000.