Kershaw Health

Advance Directives

An advance directive tells your healthcare providers what kind of care you would like if you become unable to make medical decisions for yourself (if you are in a coma, for example). An advance directive spares your loved ones the stress of making decisions about your care at a difficult time. It also ensures that your wishes about your care are carried out.
 
There are two main types of advance directives – a living will and a healthcare power of attorney. A living will describes the kind of medical treatments or life-sustaining treatments you would want if you were seriously or terminally ill. A living will doesn’t let you select someone to make decisions for you. A healthcare power of attorney is another kind of advance directive that appoints someone to make healthcare decisions for you. It becomes active any time you are unconscious or unable to make medical decisions.
 
Creating an advance directive is simple, and you may change or cancel it at any time. If you have an advance directive, please be sure to bring it with you when you register or are admitted to the hospital.
 
For information on advance directives, please contact Anastasia Witt, Case Management Director, at 803-713-6246, or email here at awitt@kershawhealth.org.