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Comprehensive Information on DNR Orders and Advance Healthcare Directives
Navigating Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders can feel overwhelming, especially when families must make sensitive healthcare decisions in the moment. This guide explains how a DNR functions in California, what steps Cudahy residents should take to document their resuscitation preferences, and how those instructions are honored by medical personnel and emergency responders. We outline practical considerations for creating legally valid DNR documentation, communicating your wishes to loved ones and providers, and ensuring your directives are accessible when needed. The goal is to help you make clear, informed decisions about resuscitation preferences that align with your values and healthcare goals.
Establishing a DNR order is one element of thoughtful estate planning and advance care preparation. This section highlights the relationship between a DNR and other healthcare planning documents, including advance healthcare directives and designations of a healthcare decision maker. You will learn about state requirements in California, how to coordinate with physicians and medical facilities, and the importance of documenting your wishes in writing. Taking these steps in advance can reduce stress for family members, provide clarity to healthcare teams, and help ensure that medical interventions reflect the choices you made when you were able to communicate them.
Why DNR Orders Matter for Cudahy Residents
A properly documented DNR order provides a clear statement of an individual’s preference to decline cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. For residents of Cudahy, such clarity helps medical personnel and emergency responders follow your wishes, reduces emotional burden on family members during crises, and prevents unwanted, invasive interventions that may conflict with personal values. A DNR can also be combined with other advance directives to create a complete plan for end-of-life care, ensuring consistency across medical settings and giving you and your loved ones confidence that treatment decisions reflect your priorities and goals of care.
About LA Estate Plans and Our Approach in Cudahy
LA Estate Plans is focused on wills, trusts, and probate matters for residents throughout Los Angeles County, including Cudahy. Our practice emphasizes clear communication, careful document preparation, and guidance through the legal requirements for advance healthcare documents such as DNR orders. We help clients understand how California law applies to their situation, coordinate with healthcare providers when necessary, and prepare documentation that can be relied on by medical personnel and emergency responders. Our approach centers on helping you create thoughtful, legally sound plans that reflect your wishes and provide certainty for your loved ones.
Understanding Do Not Resuscitate Orders in California
A DNR order specifically instructs medical personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if a person’s heart stops or they stop breathing. In California, properly executed DNR forms are recognized by hospitals, nursing facilities, and many emergency medical services when presented in an accepted format. Understanding how a DNR differs from other advance directives is important: a DNR focuses on refusal of resuscitation, while other documents may address a broader set of treatments and decision-makers. Clear documentation, physician involvement, and proper distribution of the order help ensure the directive is followed when it matters most.
Creating a valid DNR typically involves discussions with your doctor about prognosis and treatment preferences, completing required California forms, and ensuring all signatures and witness requirements are met. You should notify family members, your designated healthcare agent, and any caregivers where the DNR is located and provide copies to relevant healthcare facilities. Regular review is advisable, especially after major health changes, so the DNR continues to reflect current wishes. This process supports consistent care aligned with your priorities and reduces the likelihood of conflicting instructions during emergencies.
What a DNR Order Means and How It Works
A Do Not Resuscitate order is a formal instruction that CPR should not be attempted if cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs. It communicates a specific decision about resuscitation while leaving other aspects of medical treatment unaffected unless stated elsewhere in an advance directive. DNR documents are intended to guide emergency responders and clinical teams so that actions taken in critical moments reflect the patient’s wishes. Properly documented DNR orders in California are integrated into medical records and respected in many care settings, but it remains important to understand local procedures for presenting and recognizing those orders.
Key Steps and Components When Creating a DNR
Important elements in establishing a DNR include a clear conversation with your physician to confirm medical understanding, completion of state-accepted forms, and appropriate signatures or witness attestation where required. Ensuring that the order is readily accessible—kept in medical records, carried with you if appropriate, and shared with family and caregivers—improves compliance in emergencies. Coordination with other advance directives, such as an appointment of a healthcare decision maker, clarifies who can make decisions if you become unable to communicate. Periodic review and updates ensure the document remains consistent with your evolving preferences and health status.
Essential Terms and Definitions for DNR and Advance Care Planning
Understanding common terms used in advance care and DNR planning helps you navigate conversations with medical professionals and legal advisors. This glossary clarifies the meaning of key concepts, such as advance healthcare directives, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, healthcare proxies, and life-sustaining treatments. Knowing these definitions makes it easier to decide which documents you need, how they interact, and how to communicate your wishes to those who provide or coordinate your care. Clear terminology reduces confusion and supports consistent implementation of your care preferences across settings.
Advance Healthcare Directive
An Advance Healthcare Directive is a written document that records your preferences for medical care if you cannot communicate those decisions yourself. It often includes instructions about life-sustaining treatments, preferences for pain management and comfort care, and the appointment of a healthcare decision maker to act on your behalf. In California, an advance healthcare directive can work alongside a DNR order to provide broader guidance on medical interventions beyond resuscitation. Having an advance directive helps ensure your values and priorities shape the care you receive when you are unable to speak for yourself.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, consists of emergency measures performed to restore circulation and breathing after cardiac or respiratory arrest. CPR can include chest compressions, rescue breaths, and advanced airway management and is designed to preserve life and neurological function. A DNR order communicates a refusal of CPR, making clear that these emergency interventions should not be attempted. Discussing the implications of CPR with medical providers helps individuals decide whether resuscitation aligns with their goals for quality of life and medical care.
Healthcare Proxy (Healthcare Decision Maker)
A Healthcare Proxy, also called a healthcare decision maker, is a person you designate to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This individual should understand your values and treatment preferences and be prepared to communicate them to clinicians. Appointment of a proxy complements a DNR order by ensuring someone can advocate for your overall care in scenarios not specifically addressed by the DNR. Selecting and informing a trusted decision maker helps reduce uncertainty and aligns medical choices with your wishes when you cannot participate in decision-making.
Life-Sustaining Treatment
Life-sustaining treatments are medical interventions that prolong life, including mechanical ventilation, dialysis, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A DNR specifically addresses the refusal of CPR, but other life-sustaining measures can be accepted or declined through broader advance directives. Clarifying which interventions you want or do not want helps healthcare teams provide care that reflects your goals. Communicating preferences about life-sustaining treatment in writing and to your decision maker reduces the chance of receiving interventions that do not align with your desired approach to care.
Comparing Legal Documents for End-of-Life Care
Several legal tools are available to express medical treatment preferences. A DNR focuses narrowly on the refusal of resuscitation, while an advance healthcare directive can address a wider set of treatments and appoint a decision maker. A living will or similar statement may describe circumstances in which certain treatments should or should not be provided. Choosing the right combination depends on your health status, values, and desire for specificity. Understanding the differences helps you select documents that together create a coherent plan for how medical decisions should be made if you are unable to speak for yourself.
When a DNR Alone May Be Appropriate:
Clear Intention to Refuse Resuscitation
A standalone DNR may be the right choice when an individual’s sole concern is declining cardiopulmonary resuscitation while maintaining other forms of care. This limited approach provides an explicit instruction for emergency situations without addressing broader treatment decisions. It is often chosen by those who want to avoid invasive resuscitation measures but remain open to other therapies. Ensuring the DNR is properly completed and accessible to medical personnel and family members is essential to make certain that the resuscitation preference is honored in an emergency.
Simple Documentation Needs
For individuals seeking a straightforward, narrowly focused document, a DNR offers a concise method to communicate resuscitation preferences. This option reduces complexity when the decision is limited to CPR refusal and other matters can remain as-is or be addressed later. A succinct DNR can be easier to implement rapidly, but it should still be documented correctly and shared with relevant parties. Balancing simplicity with accessibility ensures that the DNR serves its intended purpose during urgent medical situations.
Why a Broader Advance Care Plan May Be Beneficial:
Coverage for a Range of Medical Decisions
A comprehensive approach that includes an advance healthcare directive, designation of a healthcare proxy, and a DNR provides coverage for many potential scenarios beyond resuscitation. This broader plan allows you to express preferences about life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and other interventions, and it names someone to make decisions consistent with your values. When health conditions are complex or likely to change, a complete set of documents reduces ambiguity and helps healthcare teams and family members make decisions aligned with your overall wishes.
Reduced Family Burden and Greater Consistency
Creating a coordinated set of advance care documents reduces the potential for disputes or uncertainty among family members by providing explicit guidance and a named decision maker. This consistency can ease emotional stress during difficult times and help ensure that medical treatment aligns with your values. In addition, having a comprehensive plan improves the chance that instructions are understood and followed by clinicians across different care settings, from emergency responders to hospital staff and long-term care providers.
Advantages of Combining DNRs with Broader Advance Planning
A comprehensive advance care plan provides clarity across a range of medical decisions, not just resuscitation. By documenting preferences for life-sustaining treatments, appointing a healthcare decision maker, and keeping records accessible, you create a unified roadmap for care. This helps clinicians and family members act consistently with your priorities and reduces the likelihood of unwanted treatments. For many individuals, the peace of mind from knowing that multiple aspects of care have been considered outweighs the effort involved in preparing these documents.
Combining a DNR with an advance directive and a designated decision maker also supports smoother transitions between care settings, such as from hospital to home or long-term care. Clear documentation that travels with your medical records helps ensure continuity, and it gives your loved ones a reference point when decisions become necessary. Regular review of these documents allows you to keep them aligned with changing health circumstances, values, and family dynamics so that your care preferences remain current and actionable.
Greater Control Over Medical Interventions
A coordinated plan enables you to specify which medical interventions you want to accept or decline, giving you practical control over future care even when you cannot speak for yourself. This level of direction helps clinicians make treatment decisions consistent with your goals and avoid interventions that might conflict with your values. By documenting choices clearly and naming someone to carry them out, you ensure that your medical care reflects your priorities across a wide range of health situations.
Reduced Stress and Clear Direction for Loved Ones
When family members have explicit documentation and a known decision maker, they are less likely to face uncertainty or disagreement during medical crises. This clarity protects relationships by reducing the burden of speculation and conflict. A comprehensive approach provides family members with concrete instructions to follow, which can be a relief during emotionally charged times and helps ensure that the care provided reflects the person’s stated wishes rather than guesswork.
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Practical Tips for Handling DNR Orders and Advance Care Documents
Discuss Your Wishes Openly with Loved Ones
Open, honest conversations with family members and your appointed healthcare decision maker help ensure that everyone understands your priorities for resuscitation and other treatments. These discussions reduce the chance of misunderstandings during emergencies and ensure your decision maker is comfortable communicating on your behalf. It helps to explain the reasons behind your choices, the scenarios you are concerned about, and how you view quality of life. Regular conversations as circumstances change will help keep everyone informed and prepared to act on your wishes when needed.
Keep Documents Accessible and Up to Date
Coordinate Documents with Healthcare Providers
Work with your physician to document medical discussions and complete the required California forms that make a DNR effective in clinical and emergency settings. Discuss how the DNR interacts with other treatment plans and ensure the order is entered in your chart where providers and emergency teams can find it. Communicating directly with hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities about where the DNR is kept reduces confusion. Clear coordination between legal documentation and medical records makes it more likely your wishes will be followed.
Why Consider Establishing a DNR Order in Cudahy
A DNR order provides a definitive way to decline resuscitation and can be a central component of end-of-life planning for those who prefer not to undergo CPR. People consider a DNR to prevent aggressive emergency interventions that do not align with personal values or quality-of-life priorities. For family members, a DNR reduces the stress of making snap decisions under pressure and offers clear guidance to clinicians. Reviewing the potential benefits helps determine whether a DNR should be part of a broader advance care plan tailored to your situation.
Beyond immediate medical considerations, a DNR can be important for those managing chronic illness, advanced age, or terminal diagnoses. It allows you to focus on comfort-oriented care when appropriate and helps ensure that medical responses reflect your goals. Adding complementary documents, such as an advance directive and a designated healthcare decision maker, provides fuller coverage for treatment preferences. Together, these measures create a cohesive plan that informs clinicians and supports family members during difficult health events.
Common Situations Where a DNR May Be Appropriate
Typical scenarios where people consider a DNR include advanced chronic illness, progressive neurological conditions, terminal diagnoses, or situations where aggressive resuscitation would be unlikely to improve long-term outcomes. Individuals who prioritize comfort care and want to avoid invasive emergency measures also commonly choose a DNR. Each situation merits thoughtful discussion with physicians and family to determine if a DNR aligns with medical realities and personal goals. Documenting the decision clearly helps ensure it is honored across care settings.
Chronic or Terminal Illness
When facing chronic or terminal conditions, patients often weigh the benefits and burdens of resuscitation and may determine that CPR would not meaningfully improve quality of life. Choosing a DNR in this context can avoid invasive measures that prolong dying without providing recovery, and it can allow focus on comfort and symptom management. Discussing prognosis, likely outcomes, and alternatives with medical providers supports informed decision-making and ensures that the DNR accurately reflects your values and treatment goals.
Advanced Age with Significant Health Concerns
Older adults with multiple health challenges sometimes choose a DNR to avoid aggressive interventions that may not restore meaningful function. This choice can be part of a broader plan to prioritize comfort and dignity in care. Conversations about the likely impacts of resuscitation on recovery and quality of life help inform the decision. Documenting the DNR and sharing it with family and care teams ensures the preference is known and reduces the chance of receiving interventions inconsistent with one’s values.
Personal Preference to Limit Interventions
Some individuals prefer to limit medical interventions regardless of specific diagnoses, choosing a DNR to clearly communicate that resuscitation should not be attempted. This decision can reflect a focus on comfort, a desire to avoid prolonged intensive treatments, or personal beliefs about end-of-life care. Recording the choice in a DNR form and discussing it with loved ones helps ensure that your preferences are respected in emergency situations and integrated into broader care planning when appropriate.
We Are Here to Assist Cudahy Residents with DNR Planning
Why Choose LA Estate Plans for DNR and Advance Care Planning
Our practice concentrates on estate planning matters in Los Angeles County, helping residents of Cudahy prepare DNR orders and complementary advance directives. We work to explain legal requirements and practical considerations in clear terms so you can make informed decisions. Our process emphasizes careful documentation, coordination with healthcare providers, and guidance on distribution and record keeping. This approach helps ensure that your instructions are recorded accurately and can be followed by clinicians and emergency teams when they are needed.
We prioritize communication and a client-centered approach, taking time to understand your values and medical objectives before preparing documents. Our services include drafting forms that meet California standards, advising on where to file and share those documents, and recommending periodic reviews to keep instructions current. We focus on practical steps that make your directives useful in clinical settings and on helping your family and appointed decision maker understand their role in carrying out your wishes.
For many clients, knowing that documents are properly prepared and distributed reduces anxiety and strengthens confidence that care will reflect their wishes. We support clients through each phase of the process, from initial conversations and medical coordination to final execution and distribution of documents. Our aim is to make estate and advance care planning approachable and reliable for residents of Cudahy so that important healthcare decisions are supported by clear, documented instructions.
Contact LA Estate Plans to Discuss Your DNR and Advance Care Planning Needs
Our Process for Preparing DNR Orders and Related Documents
Our process guides you through initial discussions, document preparation, execution, and follow-up. We begin by gathering information about your health, values, and goals for care, then coordinate with your physician to complete forms that meet California standards. After drafting, we review the documents with you to ensure accuracy and clarity, guide you through signing and witnessing requirements, and provide recommendations for distribution and storage so the DNR and related directives are accessible to medical personnel when necessary.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Information Gathering
The initial consultation focuses on understanding your health circumstances, values, and specific wishes regarding resuscitation and other treatments. We discuss how a DNR interacts with other advance care documents and identify any immediate needs for documentation. Gathering relevant medical information and discussing likely scenarios helps us tailor the documents to your situation. This phase ensures that your decisions are informed and that the final documents reflect both your preferences and applicable legal requirements.
Discussing Your Wishes and Medical Goals
We take time to explore your priorities for end-of-life care, concerns about resuscitation, and preferences for comfort measures or life-sustaining treatments. These conversations allow us to translate your values into clear, actionable language in the documents. We also advise on naming a decision maker and communicating with family members so that your intentions are understood and supported. This careful planning helps ensure the DNR and other directives match your goals for care.
Reviewing Medical Status and Relevant Records
Reviewing your medical history and current health status informs the drafting process and helps identify which forms or provisions are most appropriate. We discuss likely outcomes of resuscitation in light of your condition and coordinate with physicians when necessary to ensure the DNR aligns with clinical realities. Accurate medical context supports clear decision-making and reduces the risk of ambiguity when directives are presented to medical teams in emergency or clinical settings.
Step Two: Document Preparation and Review
During document preparation, we draft the DNR and any accompanying advance directives using language that meets California requirements and reflects your stated preferences. We then review the drafts with you to ensure clarity and address any questions about scope or implications. This review step is important to confirm that the documents capture your intentions accurately, and we explain signing and witness requirements so the paperwork will be recognized by providers and emergency personnel.
Drafting the DNR and Complementary Documents
We prepare the necessary forms for DNR orders and any additional advance directives, incorporating discussion points from the consultation and ensuring legal compliance. Drafting includes language that clearly expresses your resuscitation preference and clarifies interactions with other treatment instructions. When appropriate, we coordinate with your healthcare provider to ensure the medical aspects of the DNR are consistent with clinical documentation and accepted formats used by local medical facilities and emergency services.
Explaining Signing, Witnessing, and Acceptance
We explain the formalities required to make the DNR valid under California practice, including any signatures, physician involvement, and witness or notary requirements. Understanding these procedural elements is essential to ensure the order will be accepted by clinicians and emergency teams. We also advise on how to present the DNR to medical providers and where to file or keep copies so it is accessible when an urgent decision arises.
Step Three: Finalization, Filing, and Ongoing Review
After execution, we assist with filing or distributing the DNR and related advance directives so they are available to healthcare providers, emergency responders, and family members. We recommend periodic review of the documents to confirm that they continue to reflect your wishes, especially after major health or life changes. Ongoing attention ensures that your directives remain current and that your decision maker and care team know where to find the latest versions.
Filing, Distribution, and Making Documents Accessible
We help you determine the best places to file copies of the DNR, such as in medical records, with primary care providers, and with family or caregivers. Ensuring multiple, accessible copies increases the likelihood that medical teams will find and follow your instructions in emergencies. We also suggest practical steps for carrying or storing a copy for first responders and advising your decision maker on how to present the document in different care settings.
Periodic Review and Updating of Directives
Life changes and health developments can affect your preferences, so periodic review of your DNR and advance directives is important. We offer recommendations on when to reassess and update documents, and we assist with revisions as needed. Keeping directives current prevents outdated instructions from causing confusion and ensures your medical care continues to align with your evolving values and circumstances.
The Proof is in Our Performance
Common Questions About DNR Orders in Cudahy
What is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order and how does it work in California?
A Do Not Resuscitate order is a written instruction indicating that cardiopulmonary resuscitation should not be attempted if a person’s heart stops or they stop breathing. In California, properly completed DNR documentation is recognized by many medical providers and emergency responders when presented in the accepted form. The order focuses specifically on the refusal of resuscitation interventions and is intended to guide clinicians and first responders during sudden emergencies. To be effective, a DNR should be created with medical input so it reflects clinical understanding, and it should be documented in a way that is accepted in your care setting. Communicating the decision to family and healthcare teams and ensuring the order is placed in medical records increases the likelihood that it will be followed when needed, providing clarity and preventing unwanted resuscitation efforts.
How do I create a valid DNR order in Cudahy and who must sign it?
Creating a valid DNR in Cudahy typically involves a discussion with your treating physician about prognosis and treatment preferences and completion of the California-accepted form or documentation required by the treating facility. The physician usually documents the order in the medical record and can sign the necessary form. It is important to follow the procedural steps required by the facility or statewide practice to ensure recognition by clinicians and emergency personnel. Legal assistance can help clarify signature and witness requirements and advise on how to coordinate the DNR with other advance care documents. After the form is completed, provide copies to your doctor, family, and designated healthcare decision maker, and consider storing a copy in an accessible location so it can be produced quickly if needed.
Can a DNR order be changed or revoked after it is made?
Yes, a DNR can generally be revoked or amended at any time by the person who made the directive, provided they have the capacity to make healthcare decisions. Revocation can be done by informing healthcare providers, removing or destroying copies, and completing new documentation that reflects the updated wishes. It is important to communicate changes to family members and the appointed decision maker to avoid confusion during emergencies. If a DNR was created when a person lacked capacity, revocation or modification may require legal or medical processes depending on the circumstances. Regular review of documents and clear communication with providers ensure that the most current instructions guide care and that any changes are properly documented and distributed.
Does a DNR order affect other medical treatments besides CPR?
A DNR specifically addresses whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be attempted and does not automatically affect other medical treatments unless those preferences are spelled out in accompanying advance directives. Patients with a DNR can still receive other forms of care, including pain management, comfort measures, and treatments not related to resuscitation, unless they indicate otherwise in a broader directive. To cover a wider range of treatments, individuals often combine a DNR with an advance healthcare directive or a living will that clarifies preferences about ventilation, dialysis, and other life-sustaining interventions. Clear documentation helps clinicians understand the full scope of a person’s wishes and reduces ambiguity in treatment decisions.
Who should I inform after I have a DNR order in place?
After creating a DNR, inform your primary care physician, specialists involved in your care, any long-term care facility where you receive services, and your designated healthcare decision maker. It’s also important to notify family members and caregivers who may need to present the document during an emergency. Sharing copies with these parties helps ensure the DNR is recognized and followed when necessary. Keeping the DNR accessible—by filing it in medical records, providing copies to clinics, or carrying a readily available copy—reduces the risk that clinicians or emergency responders will be unaware of your wishes. Clear communication and distribution are key to making sure the order serves its intended purpose.
Will hospitals and emergency responders honor a DNR order in California?
In California, hospitals, nursing facilities, and many emergency medical personnel will honor a properly documented DNR when it is presented in an accepted format. Recognition can depend on local procedures and the setting, so it is helpful to understand how your healthcare providers and local emergency services handle DNR documentation. Ensuring the order is signed and recorded correctly increases the chance it will be followed. Because practices can vary, coordinating with your physician and care facilities to enter the DNR into medical records and to confirm recognition procedures is recommended. Legal guidance can help ensure the paperwork meets the expectations of different care settings and reduce the chance of confusion during urgent situations.
Can I include a DNR order as part of a full estate plan?
Yes, a DNR can be included as part of a broader estate plan that addresses healthcare decisions alongside wills, trusts, and probate planning. Combining a DNR with an advance healthcare directive and a designated healthcare decision maker produces a comprehensive set of documents that guide medical care in diverse situations. This integrated approach helps ensure that resuscitation preferences and other treatment choices are aligned with your overall estate and care objectives. When integrating a DNR into an estate plan, coordinate with your healthcare providers so the medical aspects are documented correctly and included in records. Ensuring legal and medical documents complement each other reduces the risk of conflicting instructions and makes it easier for family members and clinicians to follow your wishes.
What should I discuss with my doctor before completing a DNR?
Before completing a DNR, discuss expected outcomes of resuscitation in your medical context, likely benefits and burdens, and how resuscitation aligns with your quality-of-life goals. Ask how a DNR will be documented in the medical record and how it will be communicated to emergency staff and other providers. Understanding these practical details helps you make an informed decision that matches your values. It is also useful to discuss how a DNR interacts with other treatments you may be receiving and whether additional directives are advisable. Clear communication with your physician and family about the intent behind the DNR helps ensure decisions are respected and applied appropriately when critical situations occur.
How can I make sure my DNR is available when it is needed?
To ensure your DNR is available when needed, place copies in your medical record, provide a copy to your primary care physician and specialists, and give copies to family members and your designated healthcare decision maker. Consider carrying a copy with you if appropriate and keeping records where caregivers can easily find them. Hospitals and care facilities can often note the DNR in your electronic medical record for rapid access. Additionally, review local procedures for recognition of DNRs by emergency responders and long-term care facilities so you understand what format is required. Regularly confirming that current versions of your documents are filed and distributed reduces the chance of outdated or missing instructions during emergencies.
What are the differences between a DNR and an advance healthcare directive?
A DNR is narrowly focused on the refusal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, while an advance healthcare directive covers a broader set of medical instructions, such as preferences for life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and the appointment of a healthcare decision maker. The advance directive can therefore address treatment choices beyond resuscitation and provide a framework for decision-making in many medical scenarios. Because each document serves a different purpose, many people use both: a DNR to clearly state resuscitation preferences and an advance healthcare directive to provide additional guidance and name who can make decisions on their behalf. Using both documents together creates a more complete plan for how medical care should proceed if you cannot speak for yourself.