Tennessee Advance HealthcareDirectives and Living WillsAttorney

Yes. Bring the existing document and explain any changes in your wishes, health circumstances, or chosen support people.

Think about the values and care priorities you would want others to understand. Write down questions for your healthcare providers and the attorney rather than feeling you must decide every medical scenario alone.

Bring any earlier directive, living will, healthcare power of attorney, and related provider forms. Mention differences between documents or changes in the people you want involved.

Ask who should receive copies, how providers can access them, and how to handle later updates. A plan should be available to the appropriate people when it is needed.

A living will states what care you want if you cannot speak, often about life support. A healthcare power of attorney names the person who may talk to the doctors. Tennessee families usually want both in one advance directive.

Yes. You can describe wishes about life support, feeding tubes, and pain relief. You do not have to decide every medical detail. Say what matters most, in your own words.

No. It generally applies in the serious situations the form describes, such as a terminal condition or permanent unconsciousness. It is not a substitute for ordinary medical decisions while you can still speak.

Yes, while you can still make decisions. Tell your agent and your doctors, and replace old copies so an ambulance or a hospital is not following a wish you no longer hold.

A Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment is a medical order you complete with a doctor, usually when you are already seriously ill. It is not a replacement for an advance directive. Ask your physician whether you need one.

Your healthcare agent, your doctors, and a family member who would be called in an emergency. Keep one where it can be found. A directive in a safe no one can open does not help.