Honoring Your Wishes: The Importance of Advance Directives

By Nicolas Chronos, MD, FACC, FESC

Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with a local funeral director to discuss the critical role that advance directives play in healthcare and funeral planning. Our conversation reinforced just how beneficial these documents can be—not only in ensuring that your healthcare preferences are honored but also in helping relieve the emotional burden on your loved ones during a difficult time. As we recognize the importance of planning ahead, I wanted to share this valuable information with our community.

What Are Advance Directives?

An advance directive is a legal document that outlines your healthcare preferences in the event you become incapacitated and are unable to communicate your wishes. It includes decisions about life-saving measures, such as whether to administer CPR, use a ventilator, or provide other interventions. But advance directives go beyond just medical care—they can also include instructions for your final arrangements, such as burial or cremation preferences.

Why Are Advance Directives Essential?

Advance directives provide peace of mind by ensuring your wishes are clear and respected. When you create one, you take control of your healthcare decisions, alleviating the need for loved ones to make these difficult choices on your behalf. According to the American Bar Association, advance directives are a critical part of maintaining your autonomy, even when you might not be able to speak for yourself.

Having an advance directive in place can also reduce confusion and potential conflict among family members, especially when it comes to making decisions about end-of-life care. An advance directive not only helps with medical care but also guides final arrangements, ensuring that family members can follow your wishes without uncertainty.

The Role of Funeral Homes

You might be surprised to learn that funeral homes also play a key role in honoring your advance directive. In Georgia, as well as many other states, funeral homes are legally required to honor these directives, including your designated agent for final arrangements. The funeral director will carry out your wishes regarding burial or cremation, ensuring that your plans are respected and that the process is handled smoothly.

This legal protection gives you confidence that your preferences will be followed, even when you’re no longer able to communicate them. This can be an enormous comfort to family members, knowing that everything is in place according to your wishes.

Help Is Here: Your CCM Manager Can Guide You

If you’re a Medicare patient living with two or more chronic conditions, you may qualify for Chronic Care Management (CCM)—a program designed to provide extra support between office visits. At Lake Country Medical Group, our CCM program is about more than just managing medications and appointments. We go above and beyond to make sure your long-term health and wishes are cared for in every way.

As part of this service, your CCM manager is available to help you complete your advance directive and ensure it is securely submitted to our clinic for inclusion in your medical record. This means your healthcare preferences will be easily accessible to your care team when it matters most.

It’s one more way we prioritize your peace of mind and put your care—and your choices—at the center of everything we do.

Making Your Wishes Clear

It’s important to clearly outline your preferences in your advance directive, especially regarding healthcare decisions and final arrangements. You should designate an agent to make decisions on your behalf, whether it’s about life-saving treatments or funeral plans. The clearer you are, the easier it will be for your agent and loved ones to honor your wishes.

If you’re unsure where to begin, many hospitals, healthcare providers, and organizations such as the National Institute on Aging offer resources and templates to help you create an advance directive tailored to your needs.

Final Thoughts

Planning for the future is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. An advance directive ensures that your healthcare wishes are followed and that your family has a roadmap during an emotional time.

At Lake Country Medical Group, we encourage you to have these important conversations, speak with a local funeral director, and work with our CCM manager to ensure your advance directive is completed and securely included in your medical record.

We’re here to help every step of the way.