Advance Care Planning: What It Is and How It Protects Your Health Choices

When you can’t speak for yourself—because of illness, injury, or dementia—advance care planning, a process where you outline your medical preferences in advance. Also known as future care planning, it ensures your values guide treatment, not guesswork or family conflict. This isn’t just for older adults. Accidents happen. Conditions like stroke or Alzheimer’s can strike anyone. Without a plan, doctors may follow default protocols that don’t match your wishes.

Advance care planning includes two key legal tools: a living will, a written document stating what medical treatments you want or don’t want, and a healthcare proxy, a person you legally name to make decisions for you if you’re unable. These aren’t the same as a last will and testament. They focus only on medical care—like whether you’d want a ventilator, CPR, or feeding tubes. Many people also talk to their proxy about what quality of life means to them: staying at home, avoiding pain, or being surrounded by family.

Doctors and hospitals are required to ask about advance care planning, but most don’t bring it up unless you do. That’s why nearly half of adults in the U.S. still don’t have a plan. It’s not about giving up—it’s about taking control. A 2022 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients with advance directives were far less likely to receive unwanted intensive care at the end of life. They also had less stress on their families. You don’t need a lawyer to start. Many free templates are available through state health departments or hospitals. The hardest part? Talking about it. But once you do, you give your loved ones clarity, not guilt.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides on how to make these decisions. From understanding what treatments are truly helpful to knowing how to pick the right person to speak for you, these posts cut through the confusion. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes, what questions to ask your doctor, and how to update your plan when your health changes. This isn’t theoretical. It’s about protecting your body, your time, and your peace of mind—when it matters most.