Supportive Care Coalition: Advanced Care Planning, Myths

Terri Schiavo's tragic situation prior to her death in the spring of 2005 intensified public interest in advance directives, but there is a great deal of misinformation in the general public, and among health care practitioners as well.

The American Bar Association website carries a useful primer on some commonly held, but erroneous, beliefs. In 10 Legal Myths About Advance Medical Directives, Charles P. Sabatino, JD, briefly examines the following myths:

Myth 1: Everyone should have a living will.
Myth 2: Written advance directives are not legal in every state.
Myth 3: Just telling my doctor what I want is no longer legally effective.
Myth 4: An advance directive means "don't treat."
Myth 5: When I name a proxy in my advance directive, I give up some control and flexibility.
Myth 6: I must use a prescribed advance directive form for my state.
Myth 7: I need a lawyer to do an advance directive.
Myth 8: Doctors and other health care providers are not legally obligated to follow my advance directive.
Myth 9: If I do not have an advance directive, I can rely on my family to make my health care decisions when I am unable to make decisions for myself.
Myth 10: Advance directives are a legal tool for old people.