Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills in Biltmore

Compare your preferences with your agent designation

A healthcare agent and a written statement of healthcare preferences serve different purposes. The agent designation identifies a person authorized to act within the authority granted by the document; your preferences communicate what matters to you. Neither should be treated as a substitute for considering the other.

As you review them, ask: Would the person I named understand my priorities? Do the written preferences give that person useful guidance? Have my circumstances, relationships, or views changed since I prepared earlier instructions? These questions can help reveal whether the documents need coordination rather than an isolated edit.

Prepare a concise care-preference worksheet

Before discussing documents, write a short worksheet in your own words. Separate what you feel strongly about from matters where you would want your agent to use judgment. Note the people you want involved in conversations and any questions you want to raise with your healthcare team.

This is a discussion aid, not a substitute for clinical advice or a legal directive. It can help you explain your values without trying to predict every future medical situation.

• What outcomes or aspects of care matter most to me?
• What would I want my agent to understand about my priorities?
• What questions should I ask my healthcare professionals about treatment or care options?

Review older instructions and related documents

Bring any existing advance directive, living will, healthcare power of attorney, and related authorizations to the review. Compare the named agent and any alternate with your current choices, then consider whether the written preferences remain consistent with what you would want communicated.

A healthcare power of attorney concerns healthcare decision-making authority. A durable financial power of attorney concerns financial matters; it should not be assumed to grant healthcare authority. Likewise, permission to access health information and authority to make healthcare decisions are distinct issues. Dale Law Group, PLLC offers healthcare powers of attorney and HIPAA authorizations as related planning services.

Coordinate the document and sharing plan

Tennessee’s Advance Directive for Health Care form addresses an agent or alternate and healthcare preferences, and includes instructions about signing the document and sharing copies. Review the form’s directions rather than relying on a general description of signing requirements.

Once your documents reflect your choices, consider who needs a copy and how your agent and relevant healthcare professionals can locate the current version. Keep a note of older documents you have replaced or revised, and ask how to avoid confusion between current and outdated instructions.

Questions to bring to a planning discussion

Dale Law Group, PLLC, led by Carolyn D. Dale, offers advance healthcare directive and living-will planning, along with healthcare powers of attorney and HIPAA authorizations. The firm’s office is in Murfreesboro and serves clients across Tennessee; Biltmore is an unincorporated Census designated place in Carter County, not a separate city government.

• Does my existing document address both my preferences and the person I want to act for me?
• How should I handle a change in agent or alternate, or preferences that have evolved?
• Which people should receive copies, and how can I make sure they can find the current document?