• Advance directives give instructions in the event of a patient's inability to make decisions.Medical Transport image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
  
  Advance directives in the state of Michigan provide for decision making if a patient becomes incapacitated and unable to make decisions regarding his health. There are two main types of advance directives in Michigan: the durable power of attorney and the living will. Nearly every hospital providing major medical care prefers to have these forms on file to protect the patient's rights, and the state of Michigan has specific forms for just such a situation.
  
  

Durable Power of Attorney

• Durable power of attorney gives the power of making your medical decisions to a person over the age of 18 who is willing to accept the responsibility. A form must be filled out designating your patient advocate, and she must sign the form and accept her role as agent. A durable power of attorney is not required in Michigan, however, most hospitals prefer to have one on file if possible. If you do not have a durable power of attorney, a patient advocate does not have the legal authority to act for you if you cannot make your own medical decisions. A durable power of attorney does not allow the patient advocate to make any decisions other than medical, and it only applies if you become unable to speak for yourself.
  
  

Living Will

• A living will gives specific medical directions for your care if you are not able to give these instructions. It does not designate an advocate to speak for you. It only conveys your wishes that you have written prior to becoming unable to do so.This document can be done in conjunction with a durable power of attorney that appoints a patient advocate, and will give her a specific guide to follow for your care. Michigan does not have a statute governing the use of living wills. The living will will become effective only if you become incapacitated. It protects your constitutional rights to make your health care decisions in advance, and is useful when there is disagreement on how to treat your condition if you are unable to speak for yourself by protecting your rights as laid out in advance.
  
  

Do Not Resuscitate

• A do-not-resuscitate order is the final main piece of a state of Michigan advanced directive. This will give direct orders if it becomes necessary to make a decision as to what extent to provide life-saving procedures for you in an extreme emergency. Many terminally ill patients do not wish to be resuscitated at the end stages of illness, and to avoid family trauma will sign a DNR to ensure their wishes are clear. This document provides specific information about situations in which you wish to be revived, to what extent life saving measures should be taken, and in what events you do or do not wish to be revived if your heart stops or breathing is interrupted.